Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Elasmobranchii · Order: Carcharhiniformes · Family: Carcharhinidae · Genus: Rhizoprionodon.

Accepted name: Rhizoprionodon terraenovae · Authority: (Richardson, 1836) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 158510.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Rhizoprionodon terraenova (Richardson, 1836); Scoliodon terraenovae (Richardson, 1836); Squalus terraenovae Richardson, 1836.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=158510 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Rhizoprionodon terraenovae. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 110 cm · Common length: 70 cm · Depth range: 0–280 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 49.8 of 100 · Fishery importance: subsistence fisheries · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Reaches at least 103 cm TL (Ref. 244). Abundant in the continental shelves, from the intertidal to deeper waters. Often occurs close to the surf zone off sandy beaches, and also enclosed bays, sounds, and harbors, in estuaries and river mouths. Feeds on small bony fishes, shrimps, crabs, segmented worms and mollusks (gastropod feet). Viviparous, with 1 to 7 young in a litter (Ref. 27549). Size at birth about 29 to 37 cm. Utilized for human consumption. Minimum depth from Ref. 055195.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 905) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Rhizoprionodon-terraenovae.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

2,714 georeferenced occurrence records for Rhizoprionodon terraenovae are published through GBIF from 27 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 178 distinct locations from a sample of 2,714 records, omitting 76 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United States of America (2,565); Mexico (66); Brazil (18); Bahamas (9); Australia (8).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2417892) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2417892&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=158510 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Richardson,1836) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 39382) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39382/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2417892) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2417892/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The Atlantic sharpnose shark is a small shark in comparison to others. The Atlantic sharpnose shark's maximum species length is known to be about 110 – 120 cm. Although its average adult size tends to be about 91.4 – 99 cm. Reports exist of these sharks living up to 19 years in the wild. A distinctive feature is that juveniles have black edges on the dorsal and caudal fins.

Atlantic sharpnose sharks can be found as far north as New Brunswick, Canada, to as far south as the southern Gulf of Mexico. Reports of specimens from Brazil are likely being confused with the Brazilian sharpnose shark. Atlantic sharpnose sharks prefer to live in warmer, shallow coastal waters. As they are often found in waters less than 10.1 m deep. Although Atlantic sharpnose reportedly were found at 280 m deep.

The diet of the Atlantic sharpnose sharks mostly consists of bony fish, worms, shrimp, crabs, and mollusks. Commonly consumed fish include menhaden, eels, silversides, wrasses, jacks, toadfish, and filefish.

Atlantic sharpnose sharks are born ranging from a length of 29 – 37 cm. For the first three months after birth, they grow an average of 5 cm per month. Then, in the winter and spring, the average growth rate decreases to 0.9 cm per month until the shark reaches a length of 60 to 65 cm, in which the shark's growth rate increases linearly about 1.3 cm per month for about a year. Males mature at the age of 2–3 years at a length of 80 – 85 cm, while females seem to mature at the age of 2.5–3.5 years old, at a length around 84 – 89 cm.

Female Atlantic sharpnose sharks are viviparous, and tend to have a litter of four to six pups, but litter size may range from one to seven pups, after a gestation period of 10–11 months. The pups are usually born at between 29 and 37 cm in total length. Females are found in the marine estuaries during the late spring, but they breed mostly throughout the year.

Generally, Atlantic sharpnose sharks are better suited for public aquaria, or very experienced private shark aquarists who are capable of caring for them. These sharks are highly active swimmers and require ample space. Also, these sharks tend to do best in small schools of at least three sharks. Tanks or ponds which are round or oval-shaped are best suited for these sharks. They have been reported to live at least 4 years in captivity.

Source: Wikipedia: Atlantic sharpnose shark — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_sharpnose_shark (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

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