Habitat

Rocky, sandy or muddy substrates on outer continental shelf. Usually remains on bottom or close to it. Found between 73-754m.

Distribution

The chain catshark is present in the northwest Atlantic Ocean; from New England to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Isolated groups of chain catsharks are present in deeper reaches of the Caribbean Sea.

Reproduction

Oviparous. The chain catshark’s egg cases are laid in pairs every 8-15 days (figure based on study of captive animals). The female swims around the substrate monumentation such as coral until the egg capsule tendrils are securely fastened. 44 to 52 eggs may be laid during each breading season. Egg capsules are rectangular measuring 2.7cm x 6.5cm.

Diet

Consumes squid, small bony fishes, polychaete worms, and crustaceans.

Behavior

The chain dogfish rests on the substrate for much of the day. Possibly uses it’s ability to glow under ultraviolet light to attract squid that it might otherwise not be able to catch.
Known swallow pebbles, perhaps for ballast.

Reaction to divers

Easy to approach but only seen by technical divers.

Diving logistics

Although this species is confined to deep water, technical divers that visit the deep wrecks of Virginia and the Carolinas sometimes encounter chain catsharks resting on wrecks below the 80 meter mark.
Tech divers tend to be more interested in history than marine life, so there are few images of chain catsharks in the wild, but if their stories are to be believed, they sometimes see scores of catsharks laying side by side on a single wreck.