Sicklefin lemon shark
📖 Overview
Adults are found on continental and insular shelves and terraces . And are common on coral reefs . Juveniles are confined to shallow inshore areas, with preference for sandy lagoons and turbid, mangrove swamps. Adults feed on smaller sharks, stingrays and on benthic bony fishes . Viviparous . Dangerous if provoked . 1 to 11 of 45 cm young are born per litter . Meat is utilized fresh and dried salted for human consumption, fins for shark-fin soup base, and liver oil for vitamins .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A large, stocky, yellowish shark with a broad, blunt snout, narrow, smooth-cusped teeth in both jaws, and equal-sized dorsal fins . Yellowish brown above, paler below . With two nearly equally large dorsal fins .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Sicklefin lemon shark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Sicklefin lemon shark is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous, placental , 1-14 per litter . Gestation period 10-11 months. Size at birth about 50 to 70 cm TL ; 45-80 cm TL. Distinct pairing with embrace . Mating and pupping take place during late spring and early summer .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; oceano-estuarine ; depth range 0 - 92 m . Tropical; 30°N - 32°S, 32°E - 140°W South Africa (including Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar) to Philippines, north to Viet Nam, south to Australia.
🌿 Ecology
smaller sharks, stingrays and on benthic bony fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Sicklefin lemon 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 | 21.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 97 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Sicklefin lemon shark has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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