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Tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) fish species and information / pictures of Tope shark - Galeorhinus galeus

Tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Galeorhinus galeus

Common Name
Tope shark

Biology
Mainly demersal on continental and insular shelves, but also on the upper slopes, at depths from near shore to 550 m (Ref. 6871). Has been shown to be pelagic in the open ocean (frequently caught on floating tuna longlines over deep water, and many New Zealand-tagged specimens have been recaptured in Australia) (Ref. 26346). Occurs in small schools that are highly migratory in higher latitudes in their range (Ref. 244). There is pronounced partial segregation by size and sex in some areas (Ref. 244). Feeds on fishes (bottom as well as pelagic species, Ref. 26346), crustaceans, cephalopods, worms, and echinoderms (Ref. 244). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Its meat is excellent for human consumption, liver for squalene oil, fins for soup (Ref. 244); also utilized as fishmeal (Ref. 13563). Marketed fresh, dried-salted, and frozen (Ref. 9987). Adapts well in cap

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)
Order
Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)
Family
Houndsharks (Triakidae)

Distribution

Region
Widespread in temperate waters (Ref. 52183). Western Atlantic
Distribution
Widespread in temperate waters (Ref. 52183). Western Atlantic: southern Brazil to Argentina. Eastern Atlantic: Iceland to South Africa, including the Mediterranean. Western Indian Ocean: South Africa. Western Pacific: Australia and New Zealand. Eastern Pacific: Hawaii; British Columbia, Canada to southern Baja California and the Gulf of California in Mexico; Peru and Chile.
Range
70°N - 58°S, 111°E - 37°E

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
1100 m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Marine; benthopelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 1100 m (Ref. 26346), usually 2 - 470 m (Ref. 36731)
Trophic Level
4.21 s.e. 0.65 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
193 cm
Common Length
160 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Vulnerability
High to very high vulnerability (66 of 100)
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (rm=0.033; tmax=55; Fec=6-52)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless (Ref. 13563)
IUCN Red List Status
  Vulnerable (VU) (A2bd+3d+4bd)