Ghost shark
📖 Overview
Occurs on continental shelves to depths of at least 200 m . Migrates into large estuaries and inshore bays in the spring to breed . Feeds mainly on shellfish . Oviparous . Eggs are encased in horny shells . Flesh is of good eating quality. Males have a small, club-like protuberance on the head and also long copulation organs near the pelvic fins .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Ghost shark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Ghost shark is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Migrates into large estuaries and inshore bays in the spring to breed . Oviparous, two egg cases are laid on sandy or muddy bottoms and take up to 8 months to hatch . Embryos feed solely on yolk .Young hatch at about 15 cm .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 227 m . Subtropical; 33°S - 50°S Southwest Pacific: southern Australia and New Zealand.
🌿 Ecology
shellfish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Ghost shark is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 258 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Ghost shark has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Australian Elephantfish · Australian Ghostshark · Elephant Shark · Elephantfish · Ghost Shark · Plownose Chimaera · Reperepe · Silver Fish · White Fillets · White-fish · Whitefish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | سمك الفيل الأسترالي |
| 🌍CES | chimérovka tasmánská |
| 🇩🇪German | Australische Pflugnasenchimäre |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | aavekärsäkuningas |
| 🇫🇷French | Chimère éléphant |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | ゾウギンザメ |
| 🌍MRI | Makorepe |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Spookhaai |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-elefante-maori |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Австралийский каллоринх |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Quimera Elefante |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callorhynchus australis | Owen | 1854 | Synonym |
| Callorhynchus dasycaudatus | Colenso | 1879 | Synonym |
| Callorhynchus millii | Bory de Saint-Vincent | 1823 | Synonym |
| Callorhynchus tasmanius | Richardson | 1840 | Synonym |
| Callorynchus milii | Bory de Saint-Vincent | 1823 | Synonym |
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 39 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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