Pentanchidae

lollipop cat shark

Cephalurus cephalus

Rounded head and gills for hypoxic slopes

• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Pacific Ocean
• Central America and the Caribbean
• North America
• South America
• Elongated
• Medium

The lollipop catshark (Cephalurus cephalus) is a little-known species of shark belonging to the family Pentanchidae, the deepwater catsharks, and the only described member of its genus. A diminutive, bottom-dwelling shark of the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope, this species can be readily identified by its tadpole-like shape with a greatly expanded, rounded head and narrow body. The large head houses expanded gills, which are thought to be an adaptation for hypoxic conditions.