| Hydrolagus matallanasi | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Holocephali |
| Order: | Chimaeriformes |
| Family: | Chimaeridae |
| Genus: | Hydrolagus |
| Species: | H. matallanasi |
| Binomial name | |
| Hydrolagus matallanasi Soto & Vooren, 2004 |
|
Hydrolagus matallanasi is a species of very rare deep-water chimaera that lives in the ocean at depths of up to 600 m. The species is 150 million years old. It was discovered in 2001 by a team of Brazilian scientists.
These 40-cm long fishes have an unusual appearance; they have wing-like pectoral fins, a pointed dorsal fin and a long whip-like tail. The fish can see in practically total darkness and sense electromagnetic radiation (outside of the visible spectrum) emitted by other marine creatures thanks to exposed nerves on the sides of its body.
The fish is named after Spanish scientist Jesus Matallanas.