Cookiecutter Shark
Isistius brasiliensis
3
2
Lateral view 
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1
Scientific Name
common Name
Isistius brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824).
distribution
Oceanic and circumtropical. East Atlantic from the Cape
Verde Islands, Guinea and Sierra Leoneii.
Cookiecutter Shark, Cigar Shark, Luminous Shark,
Squalelet Féroce (Fr), Tollo Cigaro (Es).
NE Atl
Ventral view 
identification
1 Nearly symmetrical caudal fin with long ventral lobe.
2 Spineless dorsal fins, smaller than and set above the
pelvic fins. No anal fins.
3 Eyes set laterally limiting binocular visionii.
colour
Prominent dark collar around the branchial region.
Dark of light brown dorsally, lighter ventrally.
Entire ventral surface covered in light producing
photophoresi. Collar can glow greeniii.
Biology and Size
Mature: 38–44cm C, 31–37cm .
Max TL: 50cm C, 39cm ii.
Ovoviviparous, giving birth to 6–12 live young. It is
believed that oceanic islands provide nursery areas.
LC
No Records
Occasional
Range
ISB
Diet is primarily cephalopods and fish, but also
parasitises fish and mammalsi.
Map base conforms with ICES grid squares.
Cookiecutter Shark
Sponsored by:
teeth
30–37 small, erect teeth in upper jaw.
25–31 large, triangula-cusped lower teeth
in lower jawi.
similar species
Habitat
Sometimes caught at the surface but usually from
85–3,500m.
Isistius brasiliensis, Cookiecutter Shark
Thought to migrate vertically, travelling as much
2,000–3,000m to feed near the surface at nightii.
conservation status
Isistius plutodus, Largetooth Cookiecutter Shark
A widespread but sparsely distributed species which is
too small to be regularly taken in fisheriesiv.
Red List status: Least Concern (2003).
Cookiecutter Shark
commercial importance
Etmopterus princeps, Great Lanternshark
Of no commercial interest due to its small size and
rarity of its captureiv.
Handling
Handle with care.
Large, sharp teeth.
Etmopterus spinax, Velvet Belly Lanternshark
Abrasive skin.
references
i. Bester, C; Unknown. FLMNH.
ISB01/01/09
ii Compagno, L. J. V; 1984. FAO.
iii. Compagno, L. J. V. et al; 2005. HarperCollins Publishers.
Centroscyllium fabricii, Black Dogfish
iv. Stevens, J; 2003. IUCN Red List.