Basis of record drawing/water colour
Scientific name Chimaera monstrosa
Country Japan
Locality Nagasaki
Notes Chimaera phantasma
Artist Kawahara Keiga (1786–)
Date artwork between 1823 and 1829
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Naturalis_Biodiversity_Center_-_RMNH.ART.44_-_Chimaera_phantasma_Jordan_and_Snyder_-_Kawahara_Keiga_-_1823_-_1829_-_Siebold_Collection_-_pencil_drawing_-_water_colour.jpeg


Chimaera monstrosa
- rabbit fish, rat fish

The rabbit fish or rat fish (Chimaera monstrosa) is a cartilaginous fish species that belongs to the family Chimaeridae. It is found in the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. The rabbit fish is known for its characteristically large head and small, tapering body. With large eyes, nostrils, and tooth plates, the head gives them a rabbit-like appearance, hence the nickname “Rabbit fish”. The rabbit fishes can grow up to 1.5 meters long and weigh up to 2.5 kg. The rabbit fish feeds mainly on bottom-living invertebrates.

Order: Chimaeriformes
Family: Chimaeridae
Genus: Chimaera
Species: Chimaera monstrosa Linnaeus, 1758