Dichichthyidae

Blackgill catshark

Dichichthys melanobranchus

Black gills settle over mud with egg cases

• Black
• Northern Hemisphere
• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Pacific Ocean
• East Asia
• Elongated
• Large

The blackgill catshark or blackgill bristle shark (Dichichthys melanobranchus) is a deep water bristle shark known from very few specimens, found on or near the bottom on the continental slope, at 540–835 metres (1,772–2,740 ft) off the coasts of China and Japan. Specimens can attain a total length of at least 85 cm (33 in), have elongated cat-like eyes, and have two small dorsal fins set far back. They're oviparous and lay one egg at a time.