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Finetooth shark (Carcharhinus isodon) — Carcharhinidae

Finetooth shark

Carcharhinus isodon
NT · Near Threatened

The Finetooth shark (Carcharhinus isodon) is a saltwater fish of the family Carcharhinidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The finetooth shark is a slender, blue-grey requiem shark of the family Carcharhinidae reaching about 2 metres. The streamlined body has large eyes, a pointed snout and, unlike many relatives, fine, smooth-edged teeth with which it grips small schooling fish. The species forms large schools in shallow, turbid coastal water and surf along the southeastern coast of North America and in the Gulf of Mexico, and migrates seasonally along the coast. It hunts mainly small schooling fish, supplemented with squid and shrimps. It is viviparous; the young are born in shallow nursery areas. Through fishing and bycatch it is assessed as Near Threatened (NT).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Finetooth shark?

The Finetooth shark has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Finetooth shark live?

The Finetooth shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Finetooth shark get?

The Finetooth shark grows to a maximum of about 200 cm.

Is the Finetooth shark dangerous to humans?

The Finetooth shark can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

Is the Finetooth shark edible?

Yes, the Finetooth shark is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Fijntandhaai verified
English name
Finetooth shark verified
Scientific name
Carcharhinus isodon
Family
Carcharhinidae
Other names
Finetooth Shark; Finetooth shark; Night shark verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped verified
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Large groups verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Carcharhinus

More from the family Carcharhinidae

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