Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) fish species and Bonnethead information

Scientific Name
Sphyrna tiburo

Common Name
Bonnethead

Biology
Found on the continental and insular shelves, on inshore and coastal areas, over mud and sand bottoms, also on coral reefs. Often occur in shallow water including estuaries, shallow bays and over coral reefs (Ref. 9987). Feed mainly on crustaceans, also on bivalves, octopi, and small fish. Viviparous, with 6 to 9 young per litter. Size at birth about 35 to 40 cm. Not territorial. Always occurs in small groups. Considerable sexual segregation occurs. Shows diel rhythm of activity. Utilized for human consumption and processed for fishmeal.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Hammerhead / bonnethead / scoophead sharks (Sphyrnidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA to southern Brazil, including Cuba and the Bahamas. Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico; rare in Bermuda (Ref. 26938). Eastern Pacific: southern California, USA to Ecuador.

Range

45°N - 36°S, 121°W - 32°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

10 m

Depth To - meters

80 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 80 m (Ref. 244), usually 10 - 25 m (Ref. 9253)

Trophic Level

3.88 s.e. 0.52 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

150 cm

Common Length

80.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5059 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (54 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.17-0.34; tm=3; tmax=12; Fec=3)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)

Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) fish species and information / pictures of Bonnethead - Sphyrna tiburo

Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population