The Panama ghost catshark (Apristurus stenseni) is a species of shark belonging to the family Pentanchidae, the deepwater catsharks. This little known catshark is only found off Panama, between 9°N and 2°N. The reproduction of the Panama ghost shark is oviparous.

Panama Ghost Catshark. Body soft and flabby, with thin skin; body slender, somewhat compressed, deepest over pectoral and trunk; head broad, flattened, pointed and wedge shaped in side view; snout moderately long, broad, bell-shaped longer than mouth, length before mouth 5-8% TL; skull without crests above eyes; mouth long, arched, extends ...

Learn more about the Panama Ghost Catshark – its size, where it lives, are they dangerous, and how it interacts with humans

The Panama Ghost Catshark is a species of ground shark found only in Panama. Like all members of the catshark shark family, they’re bottom feeders, have elongated cat-like eyes, and two small dorsal fins set far back. They’re mostly nocturnal. They often sleep in groups during the day, and do their hunting at night.

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 915 - 975 m. Deep-water; 9°N - 2°N. Eastern Central Pacific: Panama (Ref. 244). Presence in Galapagos is questionable (Ref. 28023). Poorly known. Maximum length might be over 23 cm TL. Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449). Compagno, L.J.V., 1984.

The Panama Ghost catshark is the third smallest species of shark known to humans. This tiny shark reaches 9 inches (23 cm) in length and is found only off the coast of Panama in the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately very little is known about the Panama Ghost Shark besides its size and oviparous reproduction.

Apristurus is a genus of catsharks, the family Pentanchidae, the deepwater catsharks. The species in this genus are commonly known as the ghost or demon catsharks. The 41 currently recognized species in this genus are: [1][2][3] Apristurus sp. nov. Not yet described (white-edged catshark) Apristurus sp. Not yet described (gray ghost catshark)

Panama Ghost Catshark in English Holbiche Nébuleuse in French Pejegato Panameño in Spanish Bibliographic References. Compagno, Leonard J. V., 1984: Sharks of the World: An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis, no. 125, vol. 4, pt. 2.

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 915 - 975 m. Deep-water; 9°N - 2°N. Eastern Central Pacific: Panama (Ref. 244). Presence in Galapagos is questionable (Ref. 28023). Poorly known. Maximum length might be over 23 cm TL. Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449). Compagno, L.J.V., 1984.

The Panama ghost catshark (Apristurus stenseni) is a lesser known catshark of the family Scyliorhinidae. This catshark is only found off Panama, between 9°N and 2°N. The reproduction of the Panama ghost shark is oviparous.