Chimaera cubana Howell Rivero, 1936
Chimaera
photo by FAO

Family:  Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes)
Max. size:  75 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 180 - 900 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: off Matanzas Bay, Cuba (Ref. 26938) and Jamaica.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1. Rounded snout; head with seam-like sensory grooves on head; pectoral fins large; first dorsal fin with a long, sharp spine; a separate anal fin, not extending past the level of end of second dorsal fin. Curved club-shaped appendage between eyes in males. Lateral line canals in open grooves (Ref. 26938). Upper surface silvery gray, lower surface white (Ref. 6902).
Biology:  Solitary (Ref. 26340). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs are encased in horny shells (Ref. 205). Unlikely to be seen by divers since this ratfish lives in very deep water (Ref. 26938).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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