Bramble shark
📖 Overview
A rare , large, sluggish, deepwater shark found on continental and insular shelves and upper slopes . Sometimes found in shallow water . Feeds on smaller sharks, bony fishes, and crabs . Ovoviviparous , with 15-26 young in a litter (26346). Never recorded as attacking people. Sometimes hooked by shore anglers . Processed into fishmeal. May be used in traditional medicine in southern Africa .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. The bramble shark Echinorhinus brucus has thorn-like denticles on body which are very large (single denticles up to about 15mm in basal diameter in adults), sparse irregularly distributed and thorn-like with smooth basal margins, some bases fused into compound plates. Dorsal surface dark purplish-grey to brown with white denticles, ventral surface paler; sides and back may have dark spots. Tooth count 20-26/21-26.As with the other member of the family Echinorhinidae, it has a relatively short snout and stout body; two small spineless dorsal fins, close together, towards posterior part of body and originating behind pelvic fin origin. No anal fin and subterminal notch on caudal fin. Small spiracles, very short labial furrows and teeth on both jaws alike, with a central oblique bladelike cusps with up to 3 cusplets on each side (absent in juveniles) .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bramble shark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Ovoviviparous. 15 to 26 young in a litter . Size at birth between 29 and 90 cm. Distinct pairing with embrace . Size at maturity unknown but adult males of 150 cm and adult females of 213 cm have been reported .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 10 - 900 m , usually 350 - 900 m . Deep-water; 72°N - 55°S, 98°W - 173°W Pacific Oceans.
🌿 Ecology
smaller sharks, bony fishes, and crabs (Ref
📐 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.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echinorhinus mccoyi | Whitley | 1931 | Synonym |
| Echinorhinus obesus | Smith | 1838 | Synonym |
| Echinorhinus spinosus | Gmelin | 1789 | Synonym |
| Squalus brucus | Bonnaterre | 1788 | Synonym |
| Squalus spinosus | Gmelin | 1789 | Synonym |
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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