Pigeye Shark

About the Pigeye Shark

The Pigeye shark is a reef-associated, tropical shark commonly found in shallow waters near the surf line and along beaches. This species of shark is native to the Eastern Atlantic and the Indo-West Pacific and is common in areas like Nigeria, the Persian Gulf, South Africa, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. This species of shark is caught in for its meat and fins in the Northern Shark Fishery, comprises longlining and gillnetting.

 

Biology and Behaviour:

The Pigeye shark is a very large shark with a thick-set head, a short broad and blunt snout. They have small eyes and large triangular saw like upper teeth. The males mature at about 210cm while females at about 215 to 220cm. The Pigeye shark feeds on open ocean and inshore bony fishes, sharks and rays, squid, shrimps, octopus, and lobsters. As well as inhabiting shallow waters close inshore they are also found in shallow bays and estuaries, and off the open coast and commonly in a depth range of  0 to 150m.

 

Reproduction:

Pigeye sharks give birth live young that develop inside the body, bearing 3 to 13 pups per litter at two-year intervals. The gestation period is about 9 to 12 months depending on location and water type. The size of the young at birth ranges from 45 to 70cm in length.

 

Conservation:

IUCN lists this species as data deficient and no conservation plans have been made.

 

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Scientific NameCarcharhinus amboinensis
OrderGround Sharks - Carcharhiniformes
GenusCarcharhinus
CitesNot Listed
IUCNData Deficient
ReproductionViviparous
SizeLarge
Litter Size3-13
Common Length280 cm
Max LenghtNA
Depth Range0 - 150 m
DistributionEastern Central Atlantic, Western Indian Ocean
EnvironmentReef-Associated