Carcharhinus isodon

Carcharhinus isodon
Finetooth Shark – Carcharhinus isodon
Source: FAO 2002
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
CarcharhinidaeCarcharhinus isodon(Mùˆller and Henle)1839Finetooth Shark

All Carcharhinus — Upper labial folds short to rudimentary, almost vertical at mouth corners. Spiracles usually absent. Lateral keels usually absent. Second dorsal fin considerably smaller than first, height 0.2-0.5 times first dorsal-fin height. Midlength of first dorsal-fin base usually closer to pectoral-fin insertions than to pelvic-fin origins, sometimes equidistant between pectoral and pelvic-fin bases. No gill rakers. Back grey, blue-grey, or brownish. Preanal ridges very short or absent.

Carcharhinus isodon

Unique Characters: Snout moderately long and pointed, preoral length 1.1-1.3 times internarial width. Snout tip without a dark blotch, no black tips on fins. Upper labial furrows shorter and less noticeable. Teeth small and slender. Interdorsal ridge absent. Pectoral and first dorsal fins tapering distally and usually pointed or narrowly rounded. Fins not mottled white, without black saddles on the caudal peduncle. Upper anterolateral teeth with narrow cusps and strongly notched distal margins. Lower anterolateral teeth with nearly transverse roots. 12-16 rows of anteroposterior teeth on each side, usually 15 or fewer. Upper anterolateral teeth with erect or nearly erect cusps; lower anterolateral teeth with mostly erect cusps. Gill slits longer, third gill slit 4.8-6.5% of total length. First dorsal fin higher, its height 7.5-12.4% of total length and at least 0.45 times the interdorsal space. First dorsal-fin origin over or just behind pectoral-fin insertions. Teeth with smooth edges in both jaws, except for weakly and irregularly serrated upper teeth of adults.

Similar Species:

Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas

Blacknose Shark
Carcharhinus acronotus

Carcharhinus leucas
Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas
Source: FAO 2002
Carcharhinus acronotus
Blacknose Shark – Carcharhinus acronotus
Source: FAO 2002

Bull Shark Carcharhinus leucas. Snout very short and broadly rounded, preoral length 0.7-1.0 times internarial width. Heavy bodied. Pectoral and first dorsal fins tapering distally and usually pointed or narrowly rounded. Fins not mottled white, often black tipped but without black saddles on the caudal peduncle. Interdorsal ridge absent. Upper anterolateral teeth with very broad, triangular cusps and straight to concave distal margins. Lower anterolateral teeth with strongly arched roots.

Blacknose Shark Carcharhinus acronotus. Snout tip with a dusky or black blotch, fins not black-tipped. Tip of caudal fin dusky. Pectoral and first dorsal fins tapering distally and usually pointed or narrowly rounded. Fins not mottled white, without black saddles on the caudal peduncle. Interdorsal ridge absent. Snout relatively long, preoral length 1.4-1.7 times internarial width. Upper anterolateral teeth with narrow cusps and strongly notched distal margins. Lower anterolateral teeth with nearly transverse roots. Only 12 or 13 rows of upper anteroposterior teeth; upper anterolateral teeth with oblique cusps; lower anterolateral teeth with mostly oblique cusps. Gill slits shorter, third gill slit 2.4-3.2% of total length.

Spinner Shark
Carcharhinus brevipinna

Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus

Carcharhinus brevipinna
Spinner Shark – Carcharhinus brevipinna
Carcharhinus limbatus
Blacktip Shark – Carcharhinus limbatus
Source: FAO 2002

Spinner Shark Carcharhinus brevipinna. Slender body. Distinct white stripe on flank. Inside tip of pectoral fin black. First dorsal fin begins behind pectoral fin. Pectoral and first dorsal fins tapering distally and usually pointed or narrowly rounded. Fins not mottled white, often black tipped but without black saddles on the caudal peduncle. Interdorsal ridge absent. Snout pointed and long, preoral length 1.5-1.8 times internarial width. Upper anterolateral teeth with narrow cusps and strongly notched distal margins. Lower anterolateral teeth with nearly transverse roots. 15-18 rows of upper anteroposterior teeth on each side, usually at least 16 rows. Upper anterolateral teeth with erect or nearly erect cusps; lower anterolateral teeth with mostly erect cusps. Gill slits longer, third gill slit 3.8-6.5% of total length. Snout tip without a dark blotch, fins often black-tipped. Upper labial furrows noticeably elongated and prominent. First dorsal fin lower, its height about 6.0-8.8% of total length and less than 0.45 times the interdorsal space. First dorsal-fin origin over or just behind pectoral-fin free rear tips.

Blacktip Shark Carcharhinus limbatus. Slender body. Distinct white stripe on flank. Tips of fins black. Inside tip of pectoral fin black. First dorsal-fin origin over or just behind pectoral-fin insertions. Pectoral and first dorsal fins tapering distally and usually pointed or narrowly rounded. Fins not mottled white, usually black tipped but without black saddles on the caudal peduncle. Interdorsal ridge absent. Snout long, preoral length 1.3-1.7 times internarial width. Upper anterolateral teeth with narrow cusps and strongly notched distal margins. Lower anterolateral teeth with nearly transverse roots. 12-16 rows of anteroposterior teeth on each side, usually 15 or fewer. Upper anterolateral teeth with erect or nearly erect cusps; lower anterolateral teeth with mostly erect cusps. Gill slits shorter, third gill slit 3.8-4.9% of total length. Snout tip without a dark blotch. Upper labial furrows shorter and less noticeable. First dorsal fin higher, its height 7.5-12.4% of total length and at least 0.45 times the interdorsal space. First dorsal-fin origin over or just behind pectoral-fin insertions. Teeth with serrated edges in both jaws.

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