Robin’s Ghostshark

This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: bulky and relatively large head is followed by a stocky body; head and body height consistent from about pectoral fin origins to pelvic fin origins, until the insertion of the pelvic fins, tapering rapidly to filamentous tail; height of first dorsal fin spine about equal to or slightly less than first dorsal fin apex height; second dorsal fin up to 81% of total body length, uniform in height, and equal to dorsal caudal fin height; paired claspers trifurcate, forked for approximately 20% of total length with fleshy, bulbous tips; prepelvic tenaculae with 5-7 medial spines; robust frontal tenaculum, nearly uniform in width; color when preserved uniform black with no distinct markings (Ref. 116866).

This species is likely to occur beyond 2,000 meters. Fragments of possible crab appendages recovered from a digestive tract indicate a diet of crustaceans and other benthic fauna (Ref. 116866).

Hydrolagus erithacus, or Robin's ghostshark, is a species of fish in the family Chimaeridae. It is found in the southeastern Atlantic and southwestern Indian oceans.

There exists a rapid development of fisheries since the 1970s in their territory, targeting deepwater sharks. While there is no data available for ghost sharks in this region, the South African Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Areas may provide refuge to this species.