Night shark
📖 Overview
Coastal and semi-oceanic species found on or along outer continental and insular shelves . Found to depths of 40 m . Forms schools . Nocturnal , and feeding mainly on small bony fishes and squid . Viviparous . Off West Africa, recorded water parameters at 90 to 285 m, where it was caught includes: temperature = 11 to 16°C; salinity = 36 ppt; oxygen = 1.81 ml/l . Not known to be dangerous to people .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A slim shark with a very long, pointed snout, large eyes, and small jaws with oblique-cusped serrated upper teeth; dorsal fins low with elongated rear tips; interdorsal ridge present . Grey-brown above, white below; no conspicuous fin markings .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Night shark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous, placental , with 4 to 12 young in a litter . Size at birth about 60 cm . Distinct pairing with embrace .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 600 m , usually 50 - 100 m . Subtropical; 11°C - 16°C ; 39°N - 43°S, 98°W - 15°E
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Night 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
Detailed nutritional data for Night shark is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Night shark has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | night shark |
| 🌍CES | žralok noční |
| 🇩🇪German | Atlantischer Nachthai · Nachthai |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | yöhai |
| 🇫🇷French | Requin de nuit |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Squalo notturno |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | ナガハナメジロザメ |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Nachthaai |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Tubarão-da-noite · Tubarão-toninha |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Кубинская ночная акула |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | tiburón de noche · tiburón nocturno |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypoprion bigelowi | Cadenat | 1956 | Synonym |
| Hypoprion longirostris | Poey | 1876 | Synonym |
| Hypoprion signatus | Poey | 1868 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 711 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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