Bluntnose sixgill shark
📖 Overview
Depth range reported at 0m-2500m . A deepwater species of the outer continental and insular shelves and upper slopes , islands, seamounts and mid-ocean ridges . Near bottom, occasionally pelagic, adults usually below 91 m . Juveniles may be found close inshore , while nursery areas are in very shallow waters . Found on the bottom by day, moving to the surface at night to feed, and where it may take longlines set for other species . Depth distribution related to growth and temperature, with juveniles having most shallow records and from colder, poleward regions . Generally occurs at a bottom temperature of 6 to 10°C . Feeds on a wide range of marine organisms, including other sharks, rays, chimaeras, bony fish, squids, crabs, shrimps, carrion, and even seals . Large sharks (at least 2m) take cetaceans and seals. Viviparous, very large litters of 47-108 pups . Give birth to almost 100 young . Young and adults may be segregated, with the young using inshore nursery grounds. Possibly long-lived . Is a eurytrophic predator that is capable of exploiting a wide range of prey species and habitats . A vertical migrant, it may sit on the bottom by day, and rise to the surface at night to feed . It occurs alone or in groups. Adults are more sensitive to light than the juveniles and less seen in clear shallow waters, but more prevalent at night or areas with dense plankton blooms . It is locally common in bycatch and target fisheries for food, fishmeal and oil, and in sports fisheries, but vulnerable to overfishing and requires careful management . Marketed fresh, frozen, or dried salted . Not known to have attacked people without provocation .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A heavily-bodied, broad-headed sixgill shark, mouth ventral with 6 rows of lower, bladelike, comb-shaped teeth on each side . Snout broadly rounded, body fusiform . Anal fin smaller than dorsal fin . Brown or grey above, paler below, with a light stripe along side . Fins with white edges . Live specimens with fluorescent green eyes . Six gill slits are very long .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bluntnose sixgill shark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous, very large litters of 47-108 pups . Size at birth 60-75 cm . Distinct pairing with embrace .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathydemersal; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 2500 m , usually 180 - 1100 m . Subtropical; 6°C - 10°C ; 65°N - 48°S, 180°W - 180°E
🌿 Ecology
a wide range of marine organisms, including other sharks, rays, chimaeras, bony fish, squids, crabs,
📐 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
"Bluntnose sixgill 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 | 19.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 240 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bluntnose sixgill 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 | Atlantic mud shark · Bluntnose Six-gill Shark · Bluntnose sixgill · Bluntnose sixgill shark · Bluntnose sixgill shark, Six-gill Shark · Brown shark · Bull Shark · Bull dog shark · Cow Shark · Grey Shark · Mud Shark · Six-gilled shark · six-gill shark · sixgill shark |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Kalb |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Almindelig seksgællet haj · Seksgællet haj · Seksgaellet haj |
| 🇩🇪German | Grauhai · Großer Grauhai · Notidan · Rotbraunhai · Rotgrauhai · Sechskiemerhai · Speckfisch · Stierhai · Stumpfnasen-Sechskiemerhai |
| 🌍ELL | Γκρίζος καρχαρίας · Εξαβράγχιος καρχαρίας · Εξακαρχαρίας · Παμπακάς |
| 🌍EST | Kammhai |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Kidushai |
| 🇫🇷French | Arbano · Bouca douça · Bouche douce · Mounge gris · Requin griset · Requin grisé · griset |
| 🌍HEB | שש-זים אפור |
| 🇭🇷Croatian | Glavonja |
| 🇭🇺Hungarian | Hatkopoltyús szürkecápa |
| 🌍ISL | Brandháfur |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Sei branchie · Squalo capopiatto · Squalo vacca |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kagurazame · カグラザメ |
| 🌍MLT | Morruna · Murruna · Murruna b'sitt gargi |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | grauwe haai · stompsnuitzeskieuwshaai |
| 🌍NNO | kamtannhai |
| 🌍NOB | kamtannhai |
| 🇳🇴Norwegian | Kamtannhai |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Szescioszpar · Sześcioszpar szary |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Tubarao-albafar |
| 🌍RON | Rechin sur |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Серая шестижаберная акула · Шестижаберная акула · Шестижаберник |
| 🌍SLV | šesteroškrgar |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Bastriuvaca · Boca dolça · Boquidulce · Cañabota · Cañabota cañabota gris · Cañabota gris · Gato de mar · Peix xovato · Tiburon fuma · Tiburón gris · marrajo · tiburón de seis branquias |
| 🌍SQI | Peshkagen kokeshtypur · Peshkaqen kokeshtypur · peshkaqeni kokështypur |
| 🌍SRP | Pas glavonja · Pas sivonja |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | Sexbâgig kamtandhaj |
| 🌍TUR | Boz camgöz |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 六鰓沙 · 灰六鰓鮫 · 灰六鰓鯊 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hexanchus corinus | Jordan & Gilbert | 1880 | Synonym |
| Hexanchus griseus australis | de Buen | 1960 | Synonym |
| Monopterhinus griseus | Bonnaterre | 1788 | Synonym |
| Monopterinus griseus | Bonnaterre | 1788 | Synonym |
| Notidanus griseus | Bonnaterre | 1788 | Synonym |
| Notidanus monge | Risso | 1827 | Synonym |
| Notidanus vulgaris | Pérez Canto | 1886 | Synonym |
| Squalus griseus | Bonnaterre | 1788 | Synonym |
| Squalus vacca | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 487 records indexed .
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