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Crocodile shark (Pseudocarcharias kamoharai) — Pseudocarchariidae

Crocodile shark

Pseudocarcharias kamoharai
LC · Least Concern

The Crocodile shark (Pseudocarcharias kamoharai) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudocarchariidae that grows up to 110 cm.

Length
110 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–590.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Worldwide (pelagic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The crocodile shark is a small, slender pelagic shark occurring in all tropical and subtropical oceans. The species grows to about 1.1 to 1.2 metres and has a spindle-shaped, grey-brown body with very large eyes lacking a nictitating membrane and a mouth full of long, needle-sharp teeth. It lives in open water from the surface to about 600 metres and hunts small pelagic fish, squid and shrimp. Despite its formidable teeth it poses no danger to people. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crocodile shark?

The Crocodile shark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Very large eyes and long needle teeth; small pelagic shark

Where does the Crocodile shark live?

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

How big does the Crocodile shark get?

The Crocodile shark grows to a maximum of about 110 cm. On average the species is around 100 cm.

Is the Crocodile shark dangerous to humans?

No, the Crocodile shark is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Crocodile shark edible?

The Crocodile shark is not usually eaten.

More photos

Crocodile shark (Pseudocarcharias kamoharai) — Pseudocarchariidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — PIRO-NOAA Observer Program (Public domain)
Crocodile shark (Pseudocarcharias kamoharai) — Pseudocarchariidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gonzalo Mucientes Sandoval, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Crocodile shark (Pseudocarcharias kamoharai) — Pseudocarchariidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Andrey M. M., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Crocodile shark (Pseudocarcharias kamoharai) — Pseudocarchariidae — 5
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
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All data

Identification

English name
Crocodile shark verified
Scientific name
Pseudocarcharias kamoharai
Family
Pseudocarchariidae
Other names
Crocodile shark; Japanese ragged-tooth shark; Kamohara´s sand-shark; Water crocodile verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
110.0 verified
Average length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
590.0 verified
Natural range
Worldwide (pelagic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small pelagic fishes, squid and shrimps inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Pelagic crocodile shark; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Very large eyes and long needle teeth; small pelagic shark sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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