Karayip Resif Köpekbalığı

A large, slim shark with a moderately long, flat and rounded snout, large eyes, small jaws, and oblique-cusped teeth with serrations; 2nd dorsal fin low and with greatly elongated rear tip (Ref. 5578). Grey or bluish-grey above, white below; no conspicuous fin markings (Ref. 5578). Only Carcharhinus species with an interdorsal ridge that has the dorsal fin origin behind the free rear tip of the pectoral fin (Ref. 26938).

Viviparous, placental (Ref. 50449). 2-15 pups (Ref. 6871, 37816) born at 57-87 cm TL (Ref. 9997); 1-16 pups born at 55-72 cm TL. Females appear to breed every year, but there appears to be no reproductive seasonality (Ref. 58048). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205).

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0

Viviparous. Fish is main food source but occasionally eats cephalopods and pelagic crustaceans (Ref. 127989). Often found over deepwater reefs and near insular slopes. When approached by divers, individuals have been seen to perform a 'hunch display', with back arched, head raised and caudal fin lowered, possibly as a defensive threat display. Associated with schools of tuna, causing damage to nets and catches. Referred to as the `net-eater shark' in the tropical eastern Pacific. Also in Ref. 9137.

Found abundantly near the edge of continental and insular shelves, but also in the open sea and occasionally inshore (Ref. 244). Often found in deepwater reefs and near insular slopes (Ref. 244). Littoral and epipelagic, in the open sea or near the bottom at 18-500 m (Ref. 58302). It is quick-moving and aggressive (Ref. 244). Solitary (Ref. 26340); often associated with schools of tuna (Ref. 244). Feeds mainly on fishes, but also squid, paper nautiluses, and pelagic crabs (Ref. 244; 37816). Viviparous (Ref. 50449). Regarded as dangerous to humans (Ref. 9997). Flesh utilized fresh and dried-salted for human consumption; its hide for leather; its fin for shark-fin soup; its liver for oil (Ref. 244). 2 to 14 young, 73 to 87 cm, are born per litter (Ref. 1602).

fisheries: highly commercial; price category: high; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species