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5 Smallest Shark Species

5 Smallest Shark Species

Written by Scuba.com
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Updated on July 7, 2023
smallest shark in aquarium

If a large number of individuals were polled about their thoughts on sharks, they would probably indicate that these underwater animals are large, menacing, and dangerous. Of course, some sharks such as the great white are life-threatening if a person comes into contact with one, but statistics indicate that fewer than 10% of shark species have been involved in attacks with humans. In fact, some shark species are even smaller than a foot long and pose little threat to people. Check out these smallest shark species to see the variety of sharks in our oceans.

The Smallest Shark Species in the Ocean

African Lanternshark

Used for fish meal and human consumption, the African lanternshark (Etmopterus polli) measures around 9.45 inches in length and is ranked fifth in the lineup of smallest shark species in the world. Located in the Eastern Atlantic, Western Central Atlantic and off of the coast of Venezuela, Angola, Nigeria, Guinea and the Ivory Coast, this species of shark has a stout body, is mostly dark gray in color but carries black markings on its abdomen, caudal fin base, pelvic fins and the underside of its snout.

Shorttail Lanternshark

A very slender body and long tail help distinguish the shorttail lanternshark (Etmopterus brachyurus) from other sharks. It is 9.45 inches and found mainly in the waters surrounding the Philippines. This small shark is brown with black markings on the underside of its abdomen and snout.

Green Lanternshark

At around 9 inches long, the green lanternshark (Etmopterus virens) swims in the waters of the Western Central Atlantic Ocean. This shark is third on the list of smallest shark species in the world, has a slender body, is categorized as a dogfish shark species and carries a blunt snout with a narrow, long tail.

Pale Catshark

A rare catshark, the pale catshark (Apristurus sibogae) comes in with a length of just 8.26 inches. It can be found swimming in the Western South Pacific and also between Sulawesi and Borneo in the Makassar Straits. It has a reddish-white color, pointed snout and very small eyes.

Panama Ghost Catshark

The Panama ghost catshark (Apristurus stenseni) can only be found swimming in the waters directly off of Panama. Males of the species mature at a length around 8.2 inches. The shark has small nostrils, extremely large-scale slits and a large mouth that is expanded anteriorly. Its body is slender, pale in color and has no distinguishing markings on its fins.

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