Fin's Fish Guide
The Blue dog (Prionace glauca) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carcharhinidae that grows up to 400 cm.
Circumglobal in temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Description
The blue shark is a slender, graceful oceanic shark of the family Carcharhinidae reaching about 400 cm. The species is named for its colour: deep blue on the back, bright blue on the flanks and white on the belly. Very long, pointed pectoral fins and a slender, long snout are characteristic. The blue shark is one of the most migratory of sharks and can travel thousands of kilometres. It lives pelagically in all temperate and tropical seas, hunting fish such as herring and mackerel, small sharks and squid. It is viviparous with large litters. Fishing pressure has left the species assessed as Near Threatened.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Blue dog?
The Blue dog has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Slender, graceful ocean shark with very long, pointed pectoral fins; deep blue back, bright blue flanks and white belly. Highly migratory.
Where does the Blue dog live?
The Blue dog lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Circumglobal in temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean.
How big does the Blue dog get?
The Blue dog grows to a maximum of about 400 cm. On average the species is around 335 cm.
Is the Blue dog dangerous to humans?
The Blue dog can cause injury; handle it with care. Usually shy, but as a large predatory shark potentially dangerous. Keep your distance in the water and never handle a captured animal with bare hands because of the sharp teeth.
Is the Blue dog edible?
The Blue dog is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Blue dog and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Carcharhinidae
Want the complete picture on the Blue dog?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blue dog is one of 12,519 species in the app.