Genus: Schroederichthys, Cat Sharks, Narrowtail Cat Shark

SCHROEDERICHTHYS

CAT SHARKS

Body slender, tapering, trunk behind pelvics very elongate, tip of snout to anus ~1/3 TL; head slightly depressed, rounded in profile; a crest over eye; eye a horizontal oval; snout short; front nostril flap without barbel; lip furrows of moderate size on both jaws; teeth similar on both jaws, 3-5 points, central point much longer; 5 gill slits, last 2 over pectoral; two large dorsal fins, of similar size; origin of first dorsal over last half of pelvic base to just behind it; origin of second dorsal over last third of anal fin base to behind anal fin insertion; pelvic and anal fins small; tail fin asymmetric, short, its base without a keel, no crests of denticles along margins; color pattern of combinations of light and dark spots and saddles.

A Central- to South American genus with 5 species; two in our area