Animal Species:Dusky Whaler, Carcharhinus obscurus (Lesueur, 1818)

The Dusky Whaler is a 'typical', streamlined, grey-coloured shark.  It has a very wide distribution in tropical and warm temperate waters.

Dusky Whalers at Alliwal Shoals

Dusky Whalers at Alliwal Shoals
Rob Harcourt © Rob Harcourt

Alternative Name/s

Dusky Shark, Black Whaler

Identification

The Dusky Whaler has a long pointed snout, long pectoral fins and a low ridge between the dorsal fins. The first dorsal fin is tall and the tail is heterocercal. The teeth are serrated. Those in the upper jaw are broad and triangular. The lower jaw teeth are more slender.

The species is grey to grey-brown above and pale below. There is an indistinct stripe on the side of the body. It extends forward from above the pelvic fins. In juveniles, the lower lobe of the caudal fin and underside of the pectoral fins are dusky. Fin markings become less distinct as the fish ages. 

Size range

The Dusky Whaler grows to 3.65 m in length.

Distribution

It is found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate waters. In Australia it is found in all coastal and continental shelf waters. Juvenile Dusky Whalers have been regularly observed in the Shelly Beach/Fairy Bower area of Sydney.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Carcharhinus obscurus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Dusky Whaler specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It occurs in continental and insular shelf waters from the surface to a depth of 400 m.

Classification

Species:
obscurus
Genus:
Carcharhinus
Family:
Carcharhinidae
Order:
Carcharhiniformes
Class:
Chondrichthyes
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Daley, R.K., Stevens, J.D., Last, P.R., & G.K. Yearsley. 2002. Field guide to Australian Sharks & Rays. CSIRO Marine Research and Fisheries Research & Development Corporation. Pp. 84.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  6. Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994 Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513.
  7. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Dusky Shark, Carcharhinus obscurus, Carcharhinidae, Dusky Whaler, Black Whaler, grey, adult, marine, long pointed snout, long pectoral fins, serrated teeth, triangular upper teeth, slender lower teeth, pale underside, stripe, > 2m, continental shelf, coastal water,