Blackspot shark

Lore & Background

The blackspot shark is a relatively slender species with a streamlined appearance, growing to a length around 95 cm. Its snout is fairly long, pointed or slightly rounded, and its eyes are large, oval, and protected by a nictitating membrane. The first dorsal fin is long, narrow, and falcate, while the second dorsal fin is relatively large and bears a large, triangular black spot covering at least half of the fin. The body is brownish or silvery grey above and pale grey below, with an inconspicuous pale stripe along the flank.

This shark feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans, and squid, and is not considered dangerous to humans. It is a fast-growing, short-lived species, maturing at about one year old and living for five years or more. Like other members of its genus, it is viviparous, with a gestation period of about nine months and a litter of one or two pups. Off the coast of Natal, juveniles are born in spring.

Fossil teeth of the blackspot shark are known from the Late Miocene of Brunei, representing the oldest known record of the species. The shark is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, with its population believed to be in decline due to intensive fishing with longlines and gillnets in its shallow-water habitat.

Reader's Guide

The blackspot shark is significant as a small, fast-growing requiem shark that occupies shallow continental shelf and island waters in the Indo-West Pacific. Its biology—maturing at about one year, living up to five years, and producing small litters—makes it vulnerable to overfishing. The species is caught in small-scale fisheries for human consumption and sold in local markets. The IUCN lists it as vulnerable, noting that detailed population surveys have not been done but the population is believed to be in decline. The shallow waters it inhabits are intensively fished with longlines and gillnets, raising concerns of overexploitation. Its fossil record from the Late Miocene of Brunei provides the oldest known evidence of the species, adding paleontological significance. The blackspot shark is not considered dangerous to humans, and its distinctive black spot on the second dorsal fin helps distinguish it from similar species such as the whitecheek shark.

Did You Know?

• The blackspot shark grows to a length around 95 cm (37 in).
• Its gestation period is about 9 months, with one or two offspring per litter.
• Fossil teeth from the Late Miocene of Brunei are the oldest known record of the species.
• It is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN due to population decline from overfishing.