Australian blackspot shark (Carcharhinus coatesi)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Carcharhinus coatesi · Authority: (Whitley, 1939) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 1014961.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Platypodon coatesi Whitley, 1939.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1014961 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 87 cm · Depth range: 0–123 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 55.2 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Reproduction of this species apparently not seasonal, with litter size of 1-3 (mean 2) and size at birth of 38.0-40.0 cm TL (Ref. 89954).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 67451) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Carcharhinus-coatesi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

2,213 georeferenced occurrence records for Carcharhinus coatesi are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 267 distinct locations from a sample of 2,213 records, omitting 8 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: Australia (2,077); Papua New Guinea (124); Kuwait (6); Norfolk Island (2); Qatar (2).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 7466803) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=7466803&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1014961 (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 Carcharhinus coatesi (Whitley, 1939) 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 70679787) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/70679787/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 7466803) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/7466803/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The Australian blackspot shark is a small inshore shark. At birth, they range from 38-40 cm in length. The mature size for both sexes is approximately 70 cm. The maximum size recorded is 88 cm. They have two dorsal fins, triangular pectoral fins, paired pelvic fins, an anal fin, and a heterocercal caudal fin. The second dorsal has a dark to black tip and all other fins are plain. This fin coloration is one of the main distinctions between the Australian blackspot and other species in the blackspot complex as other sharks will have dusky or black tips on more than just the second dorsal fin. The sharks overall are a pale brown that can fade to a gray after death. The ventral surfaces are almost white, which allows for camouflage with countershading. The upper teeth have oblique cusps with smooth-edged cusplets on one side. The lower teeth are narrow and upright with smooth-edged cusplets.

It is believed that these sharks reproduce every year. The gestation period is not known since there does not appear to be seasonal restrictions for their reproduction. Litter size averaged at 2 pups per litter and ranged from 1-3 pups. These sharks are viviparous, meaning they are live bearers that support their offspring with a yolk-sac placenta in the womb. There is no direct evidence to indicate the diet of these sharks, but it is most likely composed of small fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. It is believed they live for 6.5-7 years.

These sharks have been known as Coates's sharks and Australian blackspot shark. Since the IUCN recognizes the shark as the Australian blackspot shark, this is the more recognized common name. Much of the literature generalizes this species of shark with its close relatives in the blackspot complex.

The geographic range of these sharks is believed to be the inshore waters around northern Australia, spanning from Shark Bay in Western Australia to K'gari in Queensland. The sharks are also found in Papua New Guinea. The inshore waters they occupy include the continental shelf off the coast of Australia. They are known to occupy a depth range from the surface to a lower depth limit of 123 m. An interactive distribution map is shown at the iucnredlist page. Geographic range is another distinguishing characteristic for the Australian blackspot shark; its close relative C. dussumieri is distributed more in the Indo-Pacific region, extending from the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf and including the coasts of Java, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia.

The main threat this species faces is bycatch. The sharks caught by prawn trawl fisheries are sold for meat and fins. Bycatch reduction devices can limit the number of larger individuals affected, but they are not used in all fisheries and do not guarantee the sharks will not end up as bycatch. The IUCN considers this species to be of least concern as of July 23, 2018.

Source: Wikipedia: Australian blackspot shark — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_blackspot_shark (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Gallery