Snaggletooth shark
📖 Overview
A coastal species, found inshore and offshore on the continental and insular shelves . Feeds on sharks, rays and bony fishes ; also cephalopods . Viviparous . Thought to be potentially dangerous because of its large, fearsome teeth and shallow-water habitat, but has not been recorded in an attack on people . Caught regularly by inshore gillnet, bottom trawl (occasionally) and longline fisheries. Regularly taken in artisanal fisheries . Utilized fresh for human consumption, liver processed for vitamins, fins used in the oriental shark fin trade, and by-products processed into fishmeal . Most adults below 200 cm .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A slender weasel shark with a long, broadly rounded snout, large curved, saw-edged teeth in the upper jaw, and hooked lower teeth protruding from mouth; gill slits long; fins strongly curved . Light grey or bronzy with no prominent markings .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Snaggletooth shark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous, with 2 to 11 young in a litter after a gestation period of 7-8 months; possibly reproduces in alternate years. Size at birth about 45-52 cm TL. Distinct pairing with embrace .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 1 - 130 m . Tropical; 41°N - 34°S, 12°E - 156°E West Pacific: Red Sea and southeast Africa, including Persian Gulf (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
sharks, rays and bony fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Snaggletooth 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 | 19.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 101 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Snaggletooth 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
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carcharias ellioti | Day | 1878 | Synonym |
| Dirrhizodon elongatus | Klunzinger | 1871 | Synonym |
| Hemipristis pingali | Setna & Sarangdhar | 1946 | Synonym |
| Heterogaleus ghardaguensis | Gohar & Mazhar | 1964 | Synonym |
| Heterogaleus ghardaqensis | Gohar & Mazhar | 1964 | Synonym |
| Paragaleus acutiventralis | Chu | 1960 | Synonym |
| Paragaleus acutiventris | Chu | 1960 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 7 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Snaggletooth shark ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.