Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae)

Scientific name: Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Richardson, 1836

The Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carcharhinidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, New Brunswick, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Southwest Atlantic: coasts of Brazil.

Biology

Reaches at least 103 cm TL. Abundant in the continental shelves, from the intertidal to deeper waters. Often occurs close to the surf zone off sandy beaches, and also enclosed bays, sounds, and harbors, in estuaries and river mouths. Feeds on small bony fishes, shrimps, crabs, segmented worms and mollusks (gastropod feet). Viviparous, with 1 to 7 young in a litter. Size at birth about 29 to 37 cm. Utilized for human consumption.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Family: Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks)
Order: Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class: Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length: 110
Common length: 70.0
Depth range: 10–280 m (33–919 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 280 m, usually ? - 10 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: New Brunswick, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Southwest Atlantic: coasts of Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.19-0.45(?); tmax=10; tm=4; Fec 1-7)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026