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Diadromous Vulnerable 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Caribbean sharpnose shark

Rhizoprionodon porosus Poey, 1861
Max Length
113 cm
Max Weight
7.5 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
51.00/100
Typical Length
75 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Common in bays and estuaries often entering rivers. Also found in offshore waters at depths of about 500 m, generally less than 100 m. Feeds mainly on small bony fishes, including wrasses, but also marine snails, squid and shrimp. Viviparous, with 2 to 6 young in a litter. Size at birth about 31 to 39 cm. Utilized salted or frozen for human consumption and processed into fish meal. Not dangerous .

Scientific Name
Rhizoprionodon porosus
Authority
Poey, 1861
Habitat
Diadromous
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
VU
Max Length
113 cm
Max Weight
7.5 kg
Latitude
40°S – 28°N
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
51.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Caribbean sharpnose shark is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Caribbean sharpnose shark is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Viviparous 🤰 Viviparous
Size at Maturity
65cm TL

Distinct pairing with embrace . Viviparous, placental .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; depth range ? - 500 m , usually ? - 100 m . Tropical; 28°N - 40°S, 88°W - 32°W south to Uruguay.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
4±0.2
Food Items

small bony fishes, including wrasses, but also marine snails, squid and shrimp

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00219 × L3.09 (TL)
Max TL
113cm
Max Weight
7,500g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Vulnerable
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
51.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
28°N – 40°S
Described By
Poey, 1861

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Caribbean sharpnose shark is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 22.2 g
Omega-3 (total) 143 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Caribbean sharpnose shark has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Caribbean sharpnose shark · Sharpnose shark
🌍CES žralok karibský
🇩🇰Danish Caribisk spidssnudet haj
🇩🇪German Karibischer Scharfnasenhai
🇫🇮Finnish nokkahai
🇫🇷French Requin aiguille antillais · Requin-aiguille antillais
🇮🇹Italian Squalo dal naso a punta caribico
🇯🇵Japanese カリブヒラガシラ
🇳🇱Dutch Caribische scherpsnuithaai
🇵🇹Portuguese Cação-figuinho · Cação-rabo-seco · Frango
🇷🇺Russian Карибская длиннорылая акула
🇪🇸Spanish Cazon de Playa · Cazón Picudo Antillano · Tiburón cazón antillano · Tiburón tollo · cazón antillano · cazón de ley · cazón de playa (Cuba)

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 32 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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