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Grey sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon oligolinx) — Carcharhinidae

Grey sharpnose shark

Rhizoprionodon oligolinx

The Grey sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon oligolinx) is a saltwater fish of the family Carcharhinidae that grows up to 85 cm.

Length
84.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–36.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The grey sharpnose shark is a small requiem shark (Carcharhinidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 85 cm and has a slender, grey body with a pale belly and a long, pointed snout. As a predator it hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid in schools. It is not especially aggressive, but as a requiem shark it can bite if disturbed or in fisheries; caution is advised.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grey sharpnose shark?

The Grey sharpnose shark has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey. Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

Where does the Grey sharpnose shark live?

The Grey sharpnose shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and others

How big does the Grey sharpnose shark get?

The Grey sharpnose shark grows to a maximum of about 85 cm.

Is the Grey sharpnose shark dangerous to humans?

The Grey sharpnose shark can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Keep your distance and handle caught animals carefully. For a bite: apply firm pressure to stop bleeding, rinse with clean water and cover with a sterile dressing. Shark bites are deep and prone to infection: always seek medical assessment and check tetanus status.

Is the Grey sharpnose shark edible?

Yes, the Grey sharpnose shark is commonly eaten.

More photos

Grey sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon oligolinx) — Carcharhinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany hamid61612002@yahoo.com (CC BY 3.0)
Grey sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon oligolinx) — Carcharhinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany hamid61612002@yahoo.com (CC BY 3.0)
Grey sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon oligolinx) — Carcharhinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany hamid61612002@yahoo.com (CC BY 3.0)
Grey sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon oligolinx) — Carcharhinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) G M MASUM BILLAH, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Grey sharpnose shark sourced
Scientific name
Rhizoprionodon oligolinx
Family
Carcharhinidae
Other names
Gray sharpnose shark; Grey dog shark; Grey sharpnose shark; Sharpnose shark verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
84.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
36.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified
First aid
Keep your distance and handle caught animals carefully. For a bite: apply firm pressure to stop bleeding, rinse with clean water and cover with a sterile dressing. Shark bites are deep and prone to infection: always seek medical assessment and check tetanus status. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Rhizoprionodon

More from the family Carcharhinidae

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