Only one species represents this family, the goblin shark, Mistukurina owstoni. It is a very unique, unmistakable shark, with a very long head that is as long or slightly shorter than the trunk. The snout is greatly elongated, flattened and blade-like. The upper lobe of the caudal fin is also elongated. The pectoral fins are very small. The body is very soft and flabby. The body has a pinkish-white coloration, the fins are bluish. This uncommon, bottom-dwelling species inhabits the continental shelves and upper slopes down to at least 500m. The biology of the goblin sharks is poorly understood but the blade-like snout shows resemblance to paddlefishes and it is assumed that goblin sharks may use them as a forward-projecting prey detector. They feed on fishes, squids and shrimps. Their form of reproduction is still questioned.