The sandbar shark

sandbar shark

Scientific name	carcharhinus plumbeus
Descriptor	Nardo
Year of description	1827
IUCN category (World)	EN
Family	Carcharhinidae
Genus	Carcharhinus

Introduction

carcharhinus plumbeus, commonly known as sandbar shark, is a salt water fish.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Type

shark
Average size

200 cm
Maximum size

300 cm
Longevity

34 year
Shape

Oval

carcharhinus plumbeus - sandbar shark — carcharhinus plumbeus, sandbar shark

Type

shark
Average size

200 cm
Maximum size

300 cm
Longevity

34 year
Shape

Oval

How to recognize the sandbar shark ?

The sandbar shark measures around 200 cm. The females are more imposing and some specimens can reach 300 cm. This fish is unicolore with a predominantly gris body.

Sexual dimorphism

The female is bigger than the male.

Behaviour & Life cycle

diet

carnivorous
Sociability

living in small groups
territorial

No
Way of living

diurnal

The sandbar shark hunts in the stalk and is one of the predators of its biotope. Opportunistic, it does not hesitate to attack any smaller animal nearby.

The sandbar shark is a fish living in small groups. The members of each group are organized around a well established hierarchy. This species is carnivorous .

Although the sandbar shark is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

Reproduction

vivipare

The sandbar shark is a fish vivipare.

Risks for humans

Venomous

No
Bite

Yes

This species can attack if it feels threatened. It is important to be particularly vigilant especially during dives or fishing sessions.

Where to find it?

Origin

Bay of Bengal Gulf of Mexico Persian Gulf Great Barrier Reef mer d'Oman Caribbean Sea Philippine Sea Red Sea South East Asian Seas Indonesian seas Atlantic Ocean: North Coast of Brazil Temperate Eastern Atlantic Ocean Northwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean Southwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean Eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean Southwest Tropical Atlantic Ocean East Indian Ocean western Indian Ocean Desventuradas Islands Galapagos Western Tropical Pacific Ocean Oceania

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : EN

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Temperature

23 - 27 °C
Depth

0 - 500 m
Environment

Active pelagic

Biotope presentation

The sandbar shark is most often found at a depth between 0m and 500m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.