Carcharhinus sealei (Blackspot shark)

(Pietschmann, 1916)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >.Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Galeomorphii > Carcharhiniformes > Carcharhinidae

Carcharhinus sealei (Blackspot shark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A small slender grey shark with a long rounded snout, large oval eyes, oblique-cusped teeth, and a conspicuous black spot on the 2nd dorsal fin. White below, other fins plain.

Size

To 95 cm TL.

Range

East coast, Natal and Mozambique; Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

Habitat

Coastal, close inshore and on sandy beaches down to 40 m.

Biology

Bears 1 or 2 young. Feeds on small bony fish, squid and prawns.

Human Impact

Caught by anglers and line fishermen.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale