The Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is common species of requiem shark (family Carcharhinidae) usually inhabiting warm temperate to tropical waters to about 32 feet (10 m) in depth.They are year round residents in the Gulf of Mexico and north to South Carolina, but are found along the northwest Atlantic from the Yucatan peninsula to the Bay of Fundy and along the coast of Brazil. In the winter they migrate offshore to deeper waters, and have been recorded to depths of 980 feet (230m).
The Atlantic sharpnose is small in size compared to other requiem sharks, reaching a maximum length of about 3.5 feet (1.1 m). They have two dorsal fins, the second just above their anal fin.Adults are various shades of grey with white splotches and stripes of white behind pectoral fins.Juveniles have striking black tips on their dorsal fins and tail.They prey on small fish, worms, crustaceans and molluscs.They are abundant, and one of the most commonly caught coastal shark species, target by shark fisheries and sold for human consumption, and also caught as bycatch in shrimp nets.While they come into frequent contact with humans and shark bites have been reported, most bites are not serious.Because they are abundant, mature at an early age, and reasonably fecund, giving birth to 4-7 live pups per year, their conservation status is classified by the IUCN as of Least Concern.
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae is known by a multitude of common names.Its names Atlantic are sharpnose shark, Newfoundland shark, sharp-nosed shark, and white shark.Other names include Atlantische scherpsnuithaai (Dutch), bicudo (Portuguese), cação-alecrim (Portuguese), cação-de-bico-doce (Portuguese), cação-fidalgo (Portuguese), cazón (Spanish), cazón chino (Spanish), cazón de ley (Spanish), cazón picudo atlántico (Spanish), chien de mer (French), cucuri (Portuguese), cuur (Wolof), frango (Portuguese), requin à nez pointu (French), requin aiguille gussi (French), squalo di terranuova (Italian), tollito (Spanish), tollo hocicón (Spanish), and tubarao-terranova (Portuguese).
(Cortés 2009; Delius and Morgan 2013; Carpenter 2013; MarineBio Conservation Society 2013)
The Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is a species of requiem shark in the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the subtropical waters of the north-western Atlantic Ocean, between latitudes 43°N and 18°N.
The Atlantic sharpnose shark is a small shark in comparison to others. The Atlantic sharpnose shark's maximum species length is known to be about 110–120 cm (3.6–3.9 ft). Although its average adult size tends to be about 91.4–99 cm (3.00–3.25 ft). Reports exist of these sharks living up to 12 years in the wild. A distinctive feature is that juveniles have black edges on the dorsal and caudal fins.[2]
Top view
Head, bottom view
Jaws
Upper teeth
Lower teeth
Atlantic sharpnose sharks can be found as far north as New Brunswick, Canada, to as far south as the southern Gulf of Mexico. Reports of specimens from Brazil are likely being confused with the Brazilian sharpnose shark. Atlantic sharpnose sharks prefer to live in warmer shallow coastal waters. As they are often found in waters less than 10.1 m (33 ft) deep. Although Atlantic sharpnose reportedly were found at 280 m (920 ft) deep.[1][2][3]
The diet of the Atlantic sharpnose sharks mostly consists of bony fish, worms, shrimp, crabs, and mollusks. Commonly consumed fish include menhaden, eels, silversides, wrasses, jacks, toadfish, and filefish.[2]
Atlantic sharpnose sharks are born ranging from a length of 29–37 cm (11–15 in). For the first three months after birth, they grow an average of 5 cm (2.0 in) per month. Then, in the winter and spring, the average growth rate decreases to 0.9 cm (0.35 in) per month until the shark reaches a length of 60 to 65 cm (24 to 26 in), in which the shark's growth rate increases linearly about 1.3 cm (0.51 in) per month for about a year. Males mature at the age of 2–3 years at a length of 80–85 cm (31–33 in), while females seem to mature at the age of 2.5–3.5 years old, at a length around 84–89 cm (33–35 in).[2]
Female Atlantic sharpnose sharks are viviparous, and tend to have a litter of four to six pups, but litter size may range from one to seven pups, after a gestation period of 10–11 months. The pups are usually born at between 29 and 37 cm (11 and 15 in) in total length. Females are found in the marine estuaries during the late spring, but they breed mostly throughout the year.[2][1][3]
Generally, Atlantic sharpnose sharks are better suited for public aquaria, or very experienced private shark aquarists who are capable of caring for them. These sharks are highly active swimmers and require ample space. Also, these sharks tend to do best in small schools of at least three sharks. Tanks or ponds which are round or oval-shaped are best suited for these sharks. They have been reported to live at least 4 years in captivity.
The Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is a species of requiem shark in the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the subtropical waters of the north-western Atlantic Ocean, between latitudes 43°N and 18°N.
