Distribution:

Western Atlantic: southern Massachusetts, USA to southern Brazil; also Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba and south and west Caribbean. Eastern Atlantic: Portugal to Dem. Rep. Congo, incuding the Mediterranean. Indo-Pacific: scattered records ranging from the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and East Africa to the Hawaiian Is. Eastern Pacific: Revillagigedo and Galapagos islands.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. A stout shark with a moderately long, rounded snout, high, triangular, saw-edged upper teeth, and an interdorsal ridge; 1st dorsal fin very large and erect. Grey-brown or bronzy with no prominent markings, white below. Fins plain or with slightly dusky tips.

Biology:

Found inshore and offshore, on continental and insular shelves and adjacent deep water. Common at bays, river mouths and in harbors; avoids sandy beaches and the surf zone, coral reefs and rough bottom, and surface waters. Sometimes in oceanic waters. Known to make extended seasonal migrations in some parts of its range. Feeds mainly on bony fishes, also small sharks, cephalopods, and shrimps, rays and gastropods. Populations are segregated by age. Young readily kept in aquaria. Utilized for human consumption, for leather and oil. Marketed fresh, smoked, dried-salted and frozen; fins are valued for soup. Used in Chinese medicine. Records to 300 cm TL uncertain. TL to 300 cm.

Max. size: 250.0 cm

Max.weight: 118 Kg

Environment: pelagic; depth range - 1800 m

Climate: subtropical; 23 - 27°C; 44°N - 36°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Jaquetón