# Cookiecutter shark (*Isistius brasiliensis*)

Canonical page: https://creaturedata.com/animals/cookiecutter-shark  
Data as of: 2026-11-11

The cookiecutter shark (Isistius brasiliensis) is a fish in the sharks and rays group, belonging to the family Dalatiidae in the order Squaliformes. It is classified in the class Elasmobranchii, phylum Chordata and kingdom Animalia, and its genus is Isistius. The species was named by (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824), and it also goes by the names Cigar shark, Pigmy shark, Luminous shark, Cookie-cutter shark and Cookie cutter shark. On the IUCN Red List it is assessed globally as Least Concern, which is not a threatened category.

## Quick facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | Not recorded |
| Length | 42 cm – 56 cm |
| Lifespan | Not recorded |
| Main food | Not recorded |
| Habitat | Not recorded |
| Young per litter or clutch | Not recorded |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Countries on record | Not recorded |

## Classification

- kingdom: Animalia
- phylum: Chordata
- class: Elasmobranchii
- order: Squaliformes
- family: Dalatiidae
- genus: Isistius
- species: *Isistius brasiliensis* (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)

Synonyms: *Inistius brasiliensis*, *Isistius labialis*, *Leius ferox*, *Scymnus brasiliensis*, *Scymnus brasiliensis*, *Scymnus brasiliensis torquatus*, *Scymnus brasiliensis unicolor*, *Scymnus brasiliensis var. torquatus*, *Scymnus brasiliensis var. torquatus*, *Scymnus brasiliensis var. unicolor*, *Scymnus torquatus*, *Scymnus unicolor*, *Scymnus unicolor var. brasiliensis*, *Squalus fulgens*, *Tristius brasiliensis*

## Common questions

### What kind of animal is the cookiecutter shark?

The cookiecutter shark is a fish in the sharks and rays group. It belongs to the family Dalatiidae in the order Squaliformes.

### What is the scientific name of the cookiecutter shark?

Its scientific name is Isistius brasiliensis, placing it in the genus Isistius.

### Is the cookiecutter shark endangered?

No. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List in a global assessment, which is not a threatened category.

### Who named the cookiecutter shark and when?

The species authority is written as (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824).

### What other names does the cookiecutter shark have?

It is also called Cigar shark, Pigmy shark, Luminous shark, Cookie-cutter shark and Cookie cutter shark.

### What class does the cookiecutter shark belong to?

It belongs to the class Elasmobranchii, within the phylum Chordata and kingdom Animalia.

## Sources

- [Catalogue of Life eXtended Release](https://www.checklistbank.org/dataset/316691), CC BY 4.0, 2026-10-16 XR. Catalogue of Life (2026). Catalogue of Life eXtended Release, version 2026-10-16 XR. Catalogue of Life Foundation, Amsterdam, Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.48580/dgzlf
- [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org), per file (CC0 / public domain / CC BY green, CC BY-SA amber, anything else not displayed), 2026-11-11. Wikimedia Commons contributors. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org (each file credited to its author under its own licence).
- [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org), CC0 1.0, 2026-11-11. Wikidata contributors. Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org (data retrieved via the Wikidata Query Service).
- [Wikipedia (English)](https://en.wikipedia.org), CC BY-SA 4.0, 2026-11-11. Wikipedia contributors. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org (text under CC BY-SA 4.0; each block names its article and revision).

Cite as: Cookiecutter shark (Isistius brasiliensis). Retrieved from https://creaturedata.com/animals/cookiecutter-shark