Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) fish species and Zebra shark information

Scientific Name
Stegostoma fasciatum

Common Name
Zebra shark

Biology
A tropical inshore shark found on sand, rubble, or coral bottoms of the continental and insular shelves. Recorded to have entered freshwater. Rather sluggish at least during the day. Probably nocturnal, feeds mainly on mollusks, but also small bony fishes. Also known to eat crustaceans and sea snakes. Oviparous. Slow-swimming and able to squirm into narrow cracks, crevices and channel in reefs while searching for food. Readily kept in captivity. May bite when provoked. Utilized fresh and dried-salted for human consumption and also for fishmeal; livers processed for vitamins; fins dried for the oriental sharkfin trade; offal utilized for fishmeal. Possibly reaching 354 cm TL. Caught in drift ne

Classification

Classified By

Hermann, 1783

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Carpet sharks (Orectolobiformes)

Family

Zebra sharks (Stegostomatidae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-West Pacific

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, south to New South Wales, Australia. Recently recorded from Tonga.

Range

41°N - 30°S, 32°E - 169°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

26 °C

Water Temperature To

29 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

63 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous ; depth range 0 - 63 m , usually 5 - 30 m

Trophic Level

3.1 s.e. 0.40 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

354 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (77 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 247)

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU)(A2abcd+3cd+4abcd)

Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) fish species and information / pictures of Zebra shark - Stegostoma fasciatum

Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population