The shortspine chimaera (''Chimaera obscura''), also commonly known as the short spine chimaera, is a
chimaera species in the family
Chimaeridae
The Chimaeridae, or short-nosed chimaeras, are a family of cartilaginous fish.
They resemble other chimaeras in general form and habits, but have short, rounded snouts, without the modifications found in related families. Many species have lo ...
, which lives off of the east coast of
Australia.
Description
The shortspine chimaera is similar to the other species in its genus, but of uniformly dark brown to black colour.
It has a robust body, and has a shorter spine than first dorsal fin. Although it has a similar range and appearance to the
southern chimaera, the shortspine chimaera is darker in colour and smaller. A maximum size of at least 95 cm total length (including tail) and 53 cm body length (excluding tail) in females has been reported.
Distribution and habitat
The shortspine chimaera is a subtropical species,
inhabiting the upper to mid continental slope on the east coast of
Australia, at depths of around 450-1,080 m,
although it most commonly lives in waters deeper than 1,025 m. In particular, the species is found near
Tuncurry, New South Wales
Tuncurry is a coastal town in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, in the Mid-Coast Council LGA, about north north east of Sydney. It is immediately adjacent to its twin town of Forster, which is the larger of the two tow ...
; sightings have been reported in other spots on the east coast, from
Ulladulla
Ulladulla is a coastal town in New South Wales, Australia in the City of Shoalhaven local government area. It is on the Princes Highway about south of Sydney, halfway between Batemans Bay to the south and Nowra to the north. Ulladulla has cl ...
to
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, establishe ...
, but it is probable that these are actually a different species.
It is not targeted commercially, and most fisheries trawl in waters shallower than where the species typically lives, so no conservation actions are currently taking place for the species; however, it may be a bycatch for deepwater fisheries. The exact population of the species is unknown, but is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2667344
shortspine chimaera
Marine fish of Eastern Australia
shortspine chimaera