Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus) fish species and information / pictures of Caribbean sharpnose shark - Rhizoprionodon porosus

Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Rhizoprionodon porosus

Common Name
Caribbean sharpnose shark

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 (Ref. 9710).

Classification

Classified By

Poey, 1861

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

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.

Range

28°N - 40°S, 88°W - 32°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

500 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; depth range ? - 500 m (Ref. 244), usually ? - 100 m (Ref. 244)

Trophic Level

3.88 s.e. 0.64 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

110 cm

Common Length

75.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (51 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=2; K=0.3-0.42)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)