New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🌡️ Subtropical

Taiwan sleeper shark

Somniosus cheni Hsu, Lin & Joung, 2020
Max Length
14.7 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
36.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

This species was collected in canyons surrounded by deep-sea longliner off eastern Taiwan at a depth greater than 500 m .

Scientific Name
Somniosus cheni
Authority
Hsu, Lin & Joung, 2020
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
14.7 cm
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
36.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 75 - 79. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: no anal fin; two spineless dorsal fins, first dorsal fin higher and larger than second dorsal fin; short lateral keels on the caudal peduncle, precaudal pits absent; caudal fin is asymmetrical and paddle-shaped, with a relatively short upper lobe and long lower lobe; rhomboid-shaped dermal denticles; teeth dissimilar in upper and lower jaws, upper-jaw teeth small with lanceolate, in 72 rows, lower-jaw teeth semioblique with low roots, in 28 rows; precaudal vertebrae 60-61, caudal vertebrae 15-18, total 75-78; number of turns in spiral valve 25-26 In mid-term embryo stage (12.8-15.0 cm TL); no teeth and dermal denticles; sexes identifiable; caudal keel present. Colouration: body light brown to yellow-grayish .Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Taiwan sleeper shark is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 500 - ? m . Subtropical Northwest Pacific: Taiwan.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
Trophic Level
3.5±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00389 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
14.7cm
Vertebrae
77

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2022

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
36.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Hsu, Lin & Joung, 2020

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Taiwan sleeper shark ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.