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Small Shark Species

Compact shark species for readers looking for tiny, pocket-size, and short-bodied sharks.

429 matching species
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Museum specimen photograph of Holohalaelurus punctatus showing the compact catshark body in profile; not to scale.
Holohalaelurus punctatus

African spotted catshark

Catsharks are generally small to medium sharks with slender bodies, elongated tails, and patterned skin marked by spots, saddles, or reticulation.

0.3 m max
Generated editorial rendering of the American pocket shark based on NOAA reference photographs, with ruler marks framing the image.
Mollisquama mississippiensis

American Pocket Shark

Tiny deep-sea shark with glowing pocket glands near its front fins.

0.1 m maxData deficient
NOAA close specimen photograph of a cookiecutter shark emphasizing the blunt head and dark body; not to scale.
Isistius brasiliensis

Cookiecutter Shark

Small shark that carves neat circular bites from larger animals.

0.6 m maxLeast concern
Dwarf lanternshark reference photograph showing the tiny dark body and large eye; not to scale.
Etmopterus perryi

Dwarf Lanternshark

One of the smallest sharks on Earth.

0.2 m maxData deficient
Historical illustration of Eridacnis radcliffei in lateral view; not to scale.
Eridacnis radcliffei

pygmy ribbontail catshark

Proscylliids are small, slender carcharhiniform sharks with a catshark-like feel but a somewhat different fin and head arrangement depending on genus.

0.2 m max