Fin's Fish Guide
The Common thresher (Alopias vulpinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Alopiidae that grows up to 573 cm.
Worldwide in temperate and tropical oceans, including the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea; oceanic and nearshore.
Description
The common thresher is a large mackerel shark of the family Alopiidae that, including the tail, can reach nearly 6 metres. Characteristic is the enormously elongated upper tail lobe, almost as long as the rest of the body. The torpedo-shaped body is blue-grey above and white below. The species uses its long tail like a whip to herd and stun schools of prey, then swallows the dazed fish; it hunts mainly herring, mackerel, sardine and squid. The thresher lives oceanically and near coasts in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, including the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is harmless to people. Through slow reproduction and fishing it is assessed as Vulnerable (VU).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Common thresher?
The Common thresher has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Shark with an enormously elongated upper caudal lobe, almost as long as the body, with which it stuns shoals of prey fishes.
Where does the Common thresher live?
The Common thresher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Worldwide in temperate and tropical oceans, including the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea; oceanic and nearshore.
How big does the Common thresher get?
The Common thresher grows to a maximum of about 573 cm. On average the species is around 450 cm.
Is the Common thresher dangerous to humans?
No, the Common thresher is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Common thresher edible?
The Common thresher is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Common thresher and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Alopias
More from the family Alopiidae
Want the complete picture on the Common thresher?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Common thresher is one of 12,519 species in the app.