Chimaera phantasma Jordan & Snyder, 1900
Silver chimaera
Chimaera phantasma
photo by CAFS

Family:  Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes)
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 90 - 540 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found in continental shelves and upper slopes (Ref. 9904, 11230); shelf edge, 60-550 m (Ref. 11230). Feeds mainly on small benthic animals (Ref. 637). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs are encased in horny shells (Ref. 205). Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166). Caught with bottom trawls but utilization uncertain except as fish balls (kamaboko) in Japan (Ref. 9904).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Widespread in the region (Ref. 47737).


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