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Hexanchidae
sixgill shark
Hexanchus vitulus
Genetic evidence restored its separate species status
The Atlantic sixgill shark (Hexanchus vitulus) is one of the five extant species of the Hexanchidae family of cow sharks. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean at depths that are greater than 300 meters. Due to their habitat being difficult to access for humans, they are rarely encountered and hard to study.
- Class
- Sharks and Rays
- Family
- Hexanchidae
- Genus
- Hexanchus
- Maximum length
- 230 cm
- Water
- Marine
- Distribution
- Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean to Venezuela and Guyanas; Bay of Biscay, from France to Morocco and the Mediterranean.
- Conservation status
- LCLeast Concern

