Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus)

Scientific name: Rhizoprionodon porosus Poey, 1861

Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus)

The Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus) is a freshwater fish of the family Carcharhinidae.

Biology

Common in bays and estuaries often entering rivers. Also found in offshore waters at depths of about 500 m, generally less than 100 m. Feeds mainly on small bony fishes, including wrasses, but also marine snails, squid and shrimp. Viviparous, with 2 to 6 young in a litter. Size at birth about 31 to 39 cm. Utilized salted or frozen for human consumption and processed into fish meal. Not dangerous.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Rhizoprionodon porosus
Family
Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
110
Common length
75.0
Depth range
500 m (1640 ft)
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; depth range ? - 500 m, usually ? - 100 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Caribbean, including the Bahamas, south to Uruguay. The separation of this species from Rhizoprionodon terraenovae whether as a distinct species or a representative of a southern subspecies is still uncertain and pending until detailed studies are commenced.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=2; K=0.3-0.42)

Sources

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

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