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Brown shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) — Carcharhinidae

Brown shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus
EN · Endangered

The Brown shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carcharhinidae that grows up to 300 cm.

Length
300 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is a stocky requiem shark of the family Carcharhinidae from temperate and tropical coastal waters. The species is recognised by its very tall, forward-set first dorsal fin and a brown-grey, streamlined body that can reach about three metres. It lives on continental and insular shelves, especially in bays, river mouths and harbours, and avoids the surf zone and coral reefs. It is a bottom-associated hunter of fishes, rays and crustaceans. The species is generally not aggressive toward people but, owing to slow reproduction and fishing, is considered Endangered (EN).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown shark?

The Brown shark has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Brown shark live?

The Brown shark lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Brown shark get?

The Brown shark grows to a maximum of about 300 cm. On average the species is around 200 cm.

Is the Brown shark dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown shark is harmless to humans.

Is the Brown shark edible?

Yes, the Brown shark is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zandbankhaai sourced
English name
Brown shark verified
Scientific name
Carcharhinus plumbeus
Family
Carcharhinidae
Other names
Brown shark; Large finned shark; Northern whaler shark; Queriman shark; Sand shark verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
300.0 verified
Average length (cm)
200.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
500.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
34.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Wordt door sportvissers gevangen met zware beug- of bootuitrusting en natuurlijk visaas; gezien de bedreigde status verdient terugzetten de voorkeur. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Carcharhinus

More from the family Carcharhinidae

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