Spadenose shark
📖 Overview
Found on rocky substrates of coastal waters and lower reaches of tropical rivers . It is uncertain, however, if this species can live in perfectly fresh water for extended periods . Forms large schools . Adults feed on small bony fishes, shrimps and cuttlefish . Viviparous . Common by-catch of the inshore demersal gillnet fisheries, particularly those operating off Kalimantan. Utilized fresh for human consumption; processed into fishmeal and used as bait for other sharks and bony fishes . Maximum sizes up to 120 cm unconfirmed .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. Bronze grey above, white below, fins sometimes darker than body; no conspicuous markings .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spadenose shark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous, with an unusual columnar placenta . Maternal and foetal placenta comprises the entire placenta . Transplacental nutrient transfer may be hemotrophic . Litter size varies from 1 to 14 . Size at birth about 13 to 15 cm TL . Distinct pairing with embrace .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous ; depth range 10 - 13 m. Tropical; 26°C - 29°C ; 34°N - 26°S, 32°E - 130°E West Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small bony fishes, shrimps and cuttlefish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Spadenose 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 | 21.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 174 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Spadenose 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 | spadenose shark |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | قرس حاد الأنف · قرش حسام |
| 🌍CES | žralok žlutý |
| 🇩🇪German | Spatennasenhai |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | lapahai |
| 🌍GUJ | સંધો |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Squalo dal naso a badile |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | トガリアンコウザメ |
| 🌍MAR | सोनकुशी |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Steeksnuithaai |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Tubarão-enxada |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Жёлтая остроносая акула |
| 🌍TAM | பிள்ளை சுறா |
| 🌍THA | ปลาฉลามหนูหัวแบน · ปลาฉลามหนูใหญ่ |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 寬尾斜齒鮫 · 寬尾斜齒鯊 · 寬尾曲齒鮫 · 尖頭沙 · 沙仔 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? palasorrah | Bleeker | 1853 | Synonym |
| Carcharias muelleri | Valenciennes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Carcharias mulleri | Müller & Henle | 1839 | Synonym |
| Carcharias palasoora | Bleeker | 1853 | Heterotypic |
| Physodon muelleri | Müller & Henle | 1839 | Synonym |
| Physodon mulleri | Müller & Henle | 1839 | Synonym |
| Scoliodon laticaudata | Müller & Henle | 1838 | Synonym |
| Scoliodon palasorrah | Bleeker | 1853 | Synonym |
| Scoliodon sorrakawah | Bleeker | 1853 | Synonym |
| Scoliodon sorrakowa | Bleeker | 1853 | Synonym |
📚 Scientific References
13 publications cited
- Froese, R. and Pauly, D. (Editors) (2024). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. FishBase Consortium. Link ↗
- IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2024-1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Link ↗
- GBIF Secretariat (2024). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. DOI ↗
- USDA Agricultural Research Service (2024). FoodData Central. USDA National Nutrient Database. United States Department of Agriculture. Link ↗
- FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (2024). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Link ↗
- Kaschner, K., Kesner-Reyes, K., Garilao, C., Segschneider, J., Rius-Barile, J., Rees, T., Froese, R. (2024). AquaMaps: Predicted range maps for aquatic species. AquaMaps. Link ↗
- Nelson, J.S., Grande, T.C., Wilson, M.V.H. (2016). Fishes of the World. 5th edition. John Wiley & Sons.
- Helfman, G.S., Collette, B.B., Facey, D.E., Bowen, B.W. (2009). The Diversity of Fishes: Biology, Evolution, and Ecology. 2nd edition. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Froese, R. (2006). Cube law, condition factor and weight-length relationships: history, meta-analysis and recommendations. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22(4), 241-253. DOI ↗
- Halstead, B.W., Auerbach, P.S., Campbell, D. (1988). A Colour Atlas of Dangerous Marine Animals. Wolfe Medical Publications. Wolfe Medical.
- Balon, E.K. (1975). Reproductive Guilds of Fishes: A Proposal and Definition. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 32(6), 821-864.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
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