Pacific sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon longurio)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Rhizoprionodon longurio · Authority: (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 271327.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Carcharias longurio Jordan & Gilbert, 1882; Scoliodon longurio (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=271327 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 110 cm · Habitat zone: benthopelagic · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 90 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults are found on the continental shelves, more commonly on the littoral zone. Possibly to 154 cm. Viviparous (Ref. 50449). Size at birth 33 to 34 cm. Utilized fresh or frozen for human consumption and also for fishmeal.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 901) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Rhizoprionodon-longurio.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

572 georeferenced occurrence records for Rhizoprionodon longurio are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 57 distinct locations from a sample of 572 records, omitting 39 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: Mexico (524); Panama (18); Colombia (12); Peru (7); Ecuador (4); United States of America (4); Costa Rica (3).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2417896) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2417896&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=271327 (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 longurio (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882) as Vulnerable (code VU). 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 161662) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161662/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2417896) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2417896/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

There was found to be no statistical relationship between the number of embryos to the average length as a result of scientific research. Specialists David Corro, Leonardo Castillo Geniz and J. Fernando Marquez-Farias, found that the sex ratio of this specific Shark is one to one with the average number of embryos per female, being around 7.4.

The Pacific sharpnose shark inhabits the coastal waters of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. They can be found from southern California to all the way to Peru (Compagno, 1984). The shark is fished commercially in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico from the Gulf of California to Puerto Madero, Chiapas. The Pacific sharpnose likes muddy bottom areas, however it is not known whether it utilizes coastal lagoons as nursery areas or if it utilizes only open waters.

During the winter to spring period, the Pacific sharpnose shark has movements of the population from southern Isla Tiburón in the central Gulf of California to the southern region of the state of Nayarit along the eastern shore of the Gulf. From the summer to autumn period, the species moves in the opposite direction, either through the central axis of the Gulf of California or along the Sonora coast line until reaching its place of origin.

The catch of Pacific sharpnose sharks in southern Sinaloa is seasonal, from November to April, with the maximum peak in February. This is due to the change of several factors, including sea temperature, which causes a massive movement of the species. It has been found that the species is very susceptible to being caught by gillnets and bottom long lines. Fiberglass boats of 22-25 feet are typically used to catch Pacific sharpnose sharks with a workday of 12 to 24 hours and a crew of 2 to 3 members. Each boat has a capacity of up to 1.5 tons.

It has been found that females typically grow larger than males. In one study, there were two modal groups of adults, one at 96 cm and the other at 108 cm. The maximum length recorded was a female specimen at 129.5 cm.

There are reports of nurseries in the Upper Gulf of California. The reproductive season goes from March to June with a peak in April. It is estimated that the gestation period of Pacific sharpnose is 10-12 months. However, due to the great migratory movements of the species, this estimation was taken without the complete cycle of embryonic growth being observed.

In one study done with the stomach contents of 82 specimens examined, about 36% of the stomachs were empty. In the sharks with stomach contents, it was found that the diet consisted mainly of crustaceans and fish.

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