Blackspot shark
📖 Overview
Found on the continental and insular shelves, from the surf line and intertidal region to deeper water . Feeds on small bony fishes (including sea horses), prawns, and squid . Viviparous . Specimens caught with size ranging from 37.0-67.4 cm TL were found to be immature, males apparently begin to mature around 71.0 cm TL and birth size is between 32.0 and 37.0 cm TL . Often caught by shore anglers . Utilized as a food fish .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
A small species which is distinguished by the following characters: snout moderately long and bluntly pointed; upper anterior teeth oblique and blade-like, coarsely serrated laterally, lateral margin deeply notched and with several large and smooth basal cusplets; lower anterior teeth narrower, slightly oblique, lateral margins usually not notched and with several large basal serrae, mostly smooth; total tooth row 24-28/22-27 or 47-55; interdorsal space often without a ridge on midline, 19.0-22.4% TL; first dorsal fin is moderately tall and falcate, origin about opposite pectoral-fin free rear tip, length 14.7-16.0% TL, 1.3-1.7 times height, inner margin 2.1-2.7 in base; second dorsal fin is much smaller, broadly triangular, height 31-37% of first dorsal fin height, its origin slightly posterior to anal-fin origin; anal fin falcate, height 0.9-1.2 times second dorsal height, base 1.0-1.3 times second dorsal-fin base; body colour pale brownish to grey dorsally, whitish ventrally; second dorsal fin with a black blotch covering most of fin and often extending slightly onto upper surface of body, usually diffuse-edged and poorly defined from ground colour of fin; other fins are plain or with pale outer margins; total vertebral 146-163; monospondylous precaudal 42-48; diplospondylous precaudal 26-38; diplospondylous caudal 74-81; precaudal 71-82 .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blackspot shark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Blackspot shark is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous, with a yok-sac placenta; 1-2 pups per litter ; after a gestation period of ~ 9 months. 33-45 cm TL at birth . Distinct pairing with embrace .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 40 m . Tropical; 24°N - 30°S West Pacific: reported to occur throughout the area, from Kenya to Indonesia; north to China.
🌿 Ecology
small bony fishes (including sea horses), prawns, and squid (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blackspot shark is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 109 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blackspot shark has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | blackspot shark |
| 🌍CES | žralok malajský |
| 🇩🇪German | Schwarzfleckhai |
| 🇫🇷French | Requin à tache noir |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Squalo grigio dalle macchie nere |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Zwartstiphaai |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | marracho-marcado |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Серая акула Сейла |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Tiburón Alinegro |
| 🌍THA | ปลาฉลามจุดดำ |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carcharias borneensis | Seale | 1910 | Heterotypic |
| Carcharias sealei | Pietschmann | 1913 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 22 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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