Rhinochimaeridae

Rhinochimaeridae
Temporal range: Santonian to recent
Narrownose chimaera (Harriotta raleighana)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Holocephali
Order: Chimaeriformes
Family: Rhinochimaeridae
Garman, 1901
Genera

Harriotta
Neoharriotta
Rhinochimaera

The Rhinochimaeridae, commonly known as long-nosed chimaeras,[1] are a family of cartilaginous fish. They are similar in form and habits to other chimaeras, but have an exceptionally long conical or paddle-shaped snout.[2] The snout has numerous sensory nerve endings, and is used to find food such as small fish.[3] The first dorsal fin includes a mildly venomous spine, used in defense.[4]

Long-nosed chimaeras are found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, from 200 to 2,000 m (660 to 6,560 ft) in depth.[4] In August 2020, a long-nosed chimaera was brought up from 460 fathoms (2,760 ft; 840 m) off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.[5]

They range from 60 to 140 cm (2.0 to 4.6 ft) in maximum total length, depending on species.

Rhinochimaeridae in the Gulf of Mexico at roughly 4,300 ft (1,300 m) deep
  1. ^ McMillan, Elizabeth (2016-03-07). "Creepy deepwater fish surprises Nova Scotia fisherman". CBC News. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  2. ^ McEachran, J.; Fechhelm, J.D. (1998). Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico, Vol. 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-292-75206-1. OCLC 38468784. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  3. ^ Stevens, H. & Last, P.R. (1998). Paxton, J.R. & Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 69. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
  4. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Rhinochimaeridae". FishBase. January 2009 version.
  5. ^ White, Jen (2020-08-22). "What in the heck was that?': Fisherman shocked to haul in long-nosed chimaera". CBC News. Retrieved 2020-08-22.