New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Vulnerable 🎣 Game Fish ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical 🎣 Game Fish

Pigeye shark

Carcharhinus amboinensis Müller & Henle, 1839
Max Length
280 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
4.3
Depth
0–150 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
72.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

An inshore species of the continental and insular shelves, commonly inhabiting shallow waters close inshore, near the surf line and along beaches . It also occasionally enters brackish water , and may be found in shallow bays and estuaries, as well as off the open coast but not ascending rivers . Predominantly demersal but found throughout the water column . Feeds on pelagic and demersal bony fishes, sharks and rays, squid, shrimps, cuttlefish, octopi, lobsters, gastropods and mammalian carrion . Viviparous . Potentially dangerous but not recorded in shark attacks to date . Utilized fresh and dried-salted for human consumption .

Scientific Name
Carcharhinus amboinensis
Authority
Müller & Henle, 1839
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
VU
Max Length
280 cm
Depth Range
0–150 m
Latitude
26°S – 26°N
Trophic Level
4.3
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
72.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A massive shark with a thick-set head, a short, broad and blunt snout, small eyes and large, triangular, saw-edged upper teeth; 1st dorsal fin high and erect, at leas 3.2 times height of 2nd dorsal fin; no interdorsal ridge . Grayish in color, white below; fins with dusky tips .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Pigeye shark is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Pigeye shark is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Viviparous 🤰 Viviparous
Size at Maturity
212cm TL

Viviparous, placental , with 3 to 13 in a litter . Size at birth about 43 to 53 cm TL ; 60-70 cm TL. Distinct pairing with embrace .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 150 m . Tropical; 26°N - 26°S West Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
4.3±0.5
Food Items

pelagic and demersal bony fishes, sharks and rays, squid, shrimps, cuttlefish, octopi, lobsters, gas

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00525 × L3.08 (TL)
Max TL
280cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Vulnerable
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
72.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.3
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
26°N – 26°S
Described By
Müller & Henle, 1839

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet — be the first to log one!

View all observations for Pigeye shark ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.