ANIMAL SPECIES:Silky Shark, Carcharhinus falciformis (Bibron, 1839)
The Silky Shark is a slender species that occurs in tropical and some warm temperate waters worldwide.
Identification
The Silky Shark has a slender body with a low ridge between the dorsal fins. It has long pectoral fins and a heterocercal tail. The second dorsal and anal fins have long free rear tips. It has serrated triangular teeth in the upper jaw. The lower jaw teeth are more slender and smooth-edged.
The species is uniform grey to dark brown above and white below. The first dorsal fin is uniformly coloured. The other fins may have dusky tips.
Size range
It grows to 3.3m in length.Distribution
The Silky Shark occurs in tropical and some warm temperate waters worldwide.
In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and down the east coast to central New South Wales.
Habitat
It is found in continental shelf and oceanic waters, primarily close to land.
Classification
- Species:
- falciformis
- Genus:
- Carcharhinus
- Family:
- Carcharhinidae
- Order:
- Carcharhiniformes
- Class:
- Chondrichthyes
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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Silky Shark, Carcharhinus falciformis View full size
Sally Reader
© Australian Museum
A Silky Shark from Sydney Fish Market View full size
Sally Reader
© Australian Museum
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