Species: Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Richardson, 1836)

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Body slender; eyes large, nictitating lower eyelids present; snout long, depressed; labial furrows well developed, upper fold about equal to eye diameter, ending well behind eye; five gill slits, last two over pectoral; teeth on both jaws narrowly triangular, strongly oblique, notched at rear, smooth to finely serrated tips; first dorsal fin moderate in height, origin just in front of pectoral fin rear edge, center of its base slightly nearer rear axil of pectoral than origin of pelvic fin; second dorsal fin much smaller than first, very low, origin over or just behind midpoint of anal fin; pectoral fin reaches under or behind center of dorsal fin base when pressed against body; rudimentary ridge between dorsals; anal fin with slightly concave rear margin, long ridge in front of fin on each side; no keels on tail base, but notches above and below.

Grey to greyish brown above, larger specimens with small white spots on top, white below, pectoral fins with white rear edges; dorsal fins with dark tips.

Size: 110 cm.

Habitat: Inshore waters in surf zones off sand beaches, enclosed bays, estuaries and river mouths; salt to brackish water.

Depth: 0-280 m, usually < 10 m.

Canada to Beliz.