Species page
American Pocket Shark
Tiny deep-sea shark with glowing pocket glands near its front fins.
Mollisquama mississippiensis
Data deficient
Overview
A rare pocket shark known from the Gulf of Mexico. It is notable for small pouches near the pectoral fins that release luminous fluid.
Deep pelagic waters
Publicly described in July 2019 from a specimen collected in February 2010.
Why it matters: Bioluminescent pocket glands
Common nameAmerican Pocket Shark
Scientific nameMollisquama mississippiensis
Familypocket shark
OrderShark
Max length0.1 m
Depth range330 to 380 meters
ConservationData deficient
RegionGulf of Mexico
DietSmall crustaceans and tiny fish
HabitatDeep pelagic waters
Why it stands outBioluminescent pocket glands
What this shark is
A rare pocket shark known from the Gulf of Mexico. It is notable for small pouches near the pectoral fins that release luminous fluid.
Where it lives
Gulf of Mexico
Deep pelagic waters
How it differs from similar sharks
Bioluminescent pocket glands
Compare it against Mollisquama Parini, Apristurus Parvipinnis, and Caribbean sharpnose shark.
Why it is notable
Bioluminescent pocket glands
Related shark pages
These links are meant to help readers continue through related species, not force extra clicks.
Mollisquama Parini
Shark species in Dalatiidae.
Apristurus Parvipinnis
Shark species in Pentanchidae.
0.5 m max
Caribbean sharpnose shark
Shark species in Carcharhinidae.
1.1 m max
Eridacnis Barbouri
Shark species in Proscylliidae.
2.0 m max