Whitefin hammerhead (Sphyrna couardi) fish species and information / pictures of Whitefin hammerhead - Sphyrna couardi

Whitefin hammerhead (Sphyrna couardi) fish species information

Scientific Name
Sphyrna couardi

Common Name
Whitefin hammerhead

Biology
A coastal-pelagic shark. Feeds on fishes, especially bony fishes, and also benthic and epibenthic cephalopods. Viviparous, with 24 to 28 young in a litter. Size at birth about 30 to 32 cm.

Classification

Classified By

Cadenat, 1951

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Hammerhead / bonnethead / scoophead sharks (Sphyrnidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Congo. Not in Compagno's 1999 checklist (Ref. 35766).

Range

17°N - 5°S, 19°W - 13°E

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.54 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

300 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5059 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (69 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec=24)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated