Japanese Angelshark
Squatina japonica
- Critically endangered
- Card rarity: Legendary
- Sharks and rays
The Japanese angelshark is a species of angelshark, family Squatinidae, found in the northwestern Pacific Ocean off China, Japan, and Korea. It is a bottom-dwelling shark found in sandy habitats down to 300 m (980 ft) deep. This species has the flattened shape with wing-like pectoral and pelvic fins typical of its family, and grows to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) or more in length. Its two dorsal fins are placed behind the pelvic fins, and a row of large thorns occurs along its dorsal midline. Its upper surface is cryptically patterned, with numerous squarish dark spots on a brown background.
Classification
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Squatiniformes
- Family
- Squatinidae
- Genus
- Squatina