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Blackspot shark (Carcharhinus sealei) — Carcharhinidae

Blackspot shark

Carcharhinus sealei
VU · Vulnerable

The Blackspot shark (Carcharhinus sealei) is a saltwater fish of the family Carcharhinidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blackspot shark is a small reef shark of the requiem shark family (Carcharhinidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about one metre and has a slender, grey-brown body with a conspicuous black spot on the second dorsal fin, to which the name refers. It lives on the continental and insular shelves, from the surf line to some depth, often near the bottom. As a predator it hunts small fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. Reproduction is viviparous. Though small and not dangerous to humans, it remains a shark with sharp teeth; owing to fishing it is listed as Vulnerable (VU).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspot shark?

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

Where does the Blackspot shark live?

The Blackspot shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blackspot shark get?

The Blackspot shark grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Blackspot shark dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspot shark is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackspot shark edible?

Yes, the Blackspot shark is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstiphaai sourced
English name
Blackspot shark verified
Scientific name
Carcharhinus sealei
Family
Carcharhinidae
Other names
Blackspot shark; Black-spot shark verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
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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