Spadenose shark (Scoliodon laticaudus)

Scientific name: Scoliodon laticaudus M?ller & Henle, 1838

Spadenose shark (Scoliodon laticaudus)

The Spadenose shark (Scoliodon laticaudus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carcharhinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 26–29°C (79–84°F). Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Somalia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Pakistan to Java in Indonesia; then Japan, China, and Taiwan. Reported from Australia.

Spadenose shark care at a glance

Temperature
26–29°C (79–84°F)

Biology

Found on rocky substrates of coastal waters and lower reaches of tropical rivers. It is uncertain, however, if this species can live in perfectly fresh water for extended periods. Forms large schools. Feeds on small bony fishes, shrimps and cuttlefish. Viviparous. Common by-catch of the inshore demersal gillnet fisheries, particularly those operating off Kalimantan. Utilized fresh for human consumption; processed into fishmeal and used as bait for other sharks and bony fishes. Maximum sizes up to 120 cm unconfirmed.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Scoliodon laticaudus
Family
Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
100.0
Depth range
10–13 m (33–43 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous; depth range 10 - 13 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Somalia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Pakistan to Java in Indonesia; then Japan, China, and Taiwan. Reported from Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; bait: usually
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.88; tm=2; tmax=6; Fec=1)

Sources

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

Last updated