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Winghead shark (Eusphyra blochii) — Sphyrnidae

Winghead shark

Eusphyra blochii
Family: Sphyrnidae
EN · Endangered

The Winghead shark (Eusphyra blochii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sphyrnidae that grows up to 186 cm.

Length
186 cm
Water
Brackish
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The winghead shark is a hammerhead shark (Sphyrnidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 1.9 metres and has a streamlined, grey body with an extraordinarily broad, wing-shaped head hammer, the widest of all hammerheads. As an active predator it hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid in shallow coastal and estuarine water. Due to its size and teeth it can be dangerous; through overfishing the species is endangered.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Winghead shark?

The Winghead shark has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Winghead shark live?

The Winghead shark lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Winghead shark get?

The Winghead shark grows to a maximum of about 186 cm.

Is the Winghead shark dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Winghead shark edible?

Yes, the Winghead shark is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vleugelkop-hamerhaai sourced
English name
Winghead shark sourced
Scientific name
Eusphyra blochii
Family
Sphyrnidae
Other names
Arrow headed hammerhead shark; Arrowhead; Arrow-headed hammer-head; Hammerhead shark; Hammer-headed shark verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
186.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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

More from the family Sphyrnidae

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