Overview

False catsharks are deepwater sharks with a subdued, soft-bodied build and a sparse observation record. In PocketShark they should be treated as provisional slope-shark entries rather than familiar coastal field-guide species. These sharks usually have a soft body, long low profile, large fins, and a deepwater look that differs from the crisper outline of shelf catsharks. False catsharks have patchy records from deep waters in several ocean basins, often along continental slopes and rises.

They are deepwater sharks associated with lower shelf edges, slopes, and nearby pelagic layers.

Added from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).

Why it matters: The common name 'false catshark' reflects a body plan that resembles catsharks only at first glance.

Common nameGollum Attenuatus
Scientific nameGollum attenuatus
FamilyPseudotriakidae
OrderCarcharhiniformes
Max length1.1 m
Depth range0 to 0 meters
RegionNew Zealand, New Zealand EEZ
DietData not available in this offline release.
HabitatMarine waters (habitat data not available locally).
Why it stands outFamily: Pseudotriakidae

What this shark is

These sharks usually have a soft body, long low profile, large fins, and a deepwater look that differs from the crisper outline of shelf catsharks.

Where it lives

False catsharks have patchy records from deep waters in several ocean basins, often along continental slopes and rises.

They are deepwater sharks associated with lower shelf edges, slopes, and nearby pelagic layers.

How it differs from similar sharks

Family: Pseudotriakidae

Compare it against Gollum Suluensis, Apristurus Exsanguis, and Mustelus Lenticulatus.

Why it is notable

They are rarely seen except as deepwater bycatch or museum material.

Species-level taxonomy was verified from Sharkipedia's current species list and taxonomy workbook. In this pass, the narrative fields are cautious family-level placeholders synthesized from broad shark references, chiefly the FAO Sharks of the World catalogue, because a stronger multi-source species-level synthesis was not assembled here without risking invented detail. Replace this with a direct species-level synthesis before publication in the app.

Related shark pages

These links are meant to help readers continue through related species, not force extra clicks.