Holocephali (chimaeras) >
Chimaeriformes (Chimaeras) >
Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes)
Etymology: Chimaera: Named for the mythological creature composed of parts of multiple animals, referring to their odd mix of characteristics (See ETYFish); bahamaensis: -ensis, Latin suffix denoting place: the Bahamas, referring to type locality east of Andros Island in the western North Atlantic (See ETYFish).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range ? - 1506 m (Ref. 84473). Tropical
North Atlantic: Bahamas.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 88.1 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
This species possess an anal fin separate from the ventral caudal margin by a notch. It is distinguished from its congeners by its relatively large body size; a long pre-narial length; a short pectoral-pelvic space and long pelvic-caudal space; ventral caudal margin ending slightly posterior to dorsal caudal margin; oral and preopercular lateral line canals share a short common branch, uniform caramel brown coloration, no color markings or mottling present; all fins a slightly darker brown color (Ref. 84473).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kemper, J.M., D.A. Ebert, D.A. Didier and L.J.V. Compagno, 2010. Description of a new species of chimaerid, Chimaera bahamaensis from the Bahamas (Holocephali: Chimaeridae). Bull. Mar. Sci. 86(3):649-659. (Ref. 84473)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2 (Global))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82804) |
PD50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high]. |
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Bayesian length-weight
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a=0.00331 (0.00137 - 0.00798), b=3.07 (2.87 - 3.27), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref. 93245). |
Trophic level (Ref. 69278) |
3.7 ±0.6 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives |
Resilience (Ref. 120179) |
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Deepwater species with few large eggs.). |
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref. 59153) |
High vulnerability (60 of 100). 🛈 |