Species profile
Bigeye Sixgill Shark
Hexanchus nakamurai
Identify Bigeye Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus nakamurai) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Bigeye Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus nakamurai) is an IUCN Near Threatened invertebrate regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Listed under MSA — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Smaller than its bluntnose cousin, typically reaching about 6 feet in length.
- Named for proportionally large eyes adapted to detect prey in deep, dim water.
- Like all sixgills, it carries six gill slits instead of the five seen in most sharks.
- Found in warm, deep waters worldwide, from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific.
Jurisdictions with rules for Bigeye Sixgill Shark
Protected status
- Atlantic HMS prohibited — must release unharmed.
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The bigeyed sixgill shark (Hexanchus nakamurai) is a cow shark of the family Hexanchidae. Its dorsal surface has a brownish-gray color, and is sharply separated from the light coloring of its ventral surface. The eyes are a fluorescent green while the shark is alive. The body of this shark is small, slim, and fusiform in shape. As the name suggests, this shark has six gill slits, unusual among…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Bigeye Sixgill Shark article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other invertebrates on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Bigeye Sixgill Shark?
Bigeye Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus nakamurai) is an IUCN Near Threatened invertebrate regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Bigeye Sixgill Shark?
Bigeye Sixgill Shark is Hexanchus nakamurai.
Is Bigeye Sixgill Shark regulated for fishing?
Yes — Bigeye Sixgill Shark has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Bigeye Sixgill Shark?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Bigeye Sixgill Shark along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.