The spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) is a chimaera found in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean. Often seen by divers at night in the Pacific Northwest, this cartilaginous fish gets its characteristic name from a pointed rat-like tail.

The spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) is a chimaera found in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean. Often seen by divers at night in the Pacific Northwest, this cartilaginous fish gets its characteristic name from a pointed rat-like tail.

Chimaeras[1] are cartilaginous fish in the order Chimaeriformes (/ kɪˈmɛrɪfɔːrmiːz /), known informally as ghost sharks, rat fish (not to be confused with rattails), spookfish, or rabbit fish; the last two names are also applied to Opisthoproctidae and Siganidae, respectively.

The spotted ratfish, also known as chimaeras, has a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone - like sharks and rays. Learn more about chimaeras and their habitat.

Spotted ratfish have a rabbit-like head, a protruding snout, and a body that tapers toward the narrow tail that is almost half the overall length of the fish. Their skin is smooth and scaleless. Triangular pectoral fins are large and well-developed. There are large spines in …

Spotted ratfish range from southeast Alaska to Baja and the northern Gulf of California. They are common off B.C. to northern California. They can most commonly be found living near the bottom on sand, mud or rocky reefs.

2023年9月26日 · These ghostly apparitions are known as the Spotted Ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei). The Spotted Ratfish has several unique characteristics that make it one of the more bizarre and interesting species found off the Humboldt coast. Their …