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<>Article Summary:

The Inflatable Shark: Survival of the Fattest?

Some of the inflatable sharks, like this whitefin swell shark, are only found in deep water. This specimen was collected in 600 m (1,950 feet) of water. Photo by Rudie Kuiter

<> Puffers and porcupinefishes are familiar to most fish enthusiasts because of their ability to expand their stomachs with air or water. But many are unaware that this behavior is not unique to these two families of fishes. In fact, this adaptation is found in a more archaic genus of fishes, the swell sharks.

<>In this CoralRealm feature article we will take a detailed look at this amazing genus of sharks.

Topics included in this article are:

• Wedged In - Swelling is a defense mechanism
• Leathery Eggs - Reproduction of swell sharks
• Ambush strategies - The swell shark is an ambush predator
• Swell shark anatomy - A mouth with a whole lot of teeth
• Swell sharks and fishermen