< All fish

blue shark

Scientific name Prionace glauca
Descriptor Linnaeus
Year of description 1758
IUCN category (World) NT
Family Carcharhinidae
Genus Prionace
Prionace glauca Prionace glauca
Français English Español Italiano

Introduction

The blue shark, sometimes also called the blue skin shark, is a pelagic fish found in most temperate and tropical marine waters.

Although rare, this shark is sometimes observed not far from the coast in the Mediterranean Sea. For example, a blue shark was observed two meters from the beach of Almanarre in Var on July 27, 2022.

Despite this wide distribution, the species is currently threatened by overfishing.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Type
    shark
  • Average size
    335 cm
  • Maximum size
    400 cm
  • Longevity
    20 year
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Type
    shark
  • Average size
    335 cm
  • Maximum size
    400 cm
  • Longevity
    20 year
  • Shape
    Rectangular

How to recognize the blue shark ?

The blue skin shark has a blue back and white belly. The body is elongated, the pectoral fins are long and thin, and the first dorsal fin is short. The caudal fin is heterocercal with the lower part smaller than the upper part. A subterminal notch is found on the latter.

The snout is long and pointed, the teeth are narrow, long, and oblique. The lower jaw teeth are finer and smoother than those of the upper jaw.

Sexual dimorphism

The dimorphism of this species is well marked. The male has a pair of Pterygopodes, reproductive organs resulting from the modification of the pelvic fins, allowing fertilization of the female.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    solitary
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The blue skin shark is a carnivorous predator with a lively temperament, living alone. This predator mainly feeds on small fish, mollusks, cephalopods, and occasionally birds.

Reproduction

The blue skin shark is a viviparous species that gives birth to up to 80 pups, each measuring 40 cm. Gestation lasts nearly a year.

Sexual maturity is reached at around 2.5m in size, corresponding to an age of 4-5 years.

Risks for humans

  • Venomous
    No
  • Bite
    Yes

The blue shark is not considered dangerous to humans. However, given its size and position in the food chain, it is recommended to avoid approaching it or even swimming near it.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : NT

Geographic distribution & Conservation

Knowledge about shark populations and their exploitation is imprecise. However, several indicators (decrease in catches, decrease in yields) paint a rather bleak picture of the state of their stocks, even if situations vary from one species to another... Learn more

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    24 - 28 °C
  • Depth
    10 - 75 m
  • Environment
    Active pelagic

Biotope presentation

This pelagic species makes rare visits to the coast. It spends most of its time in open water.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

BioObs fishbase EOL ethic ocean UltraMarina

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

Adrien Falzon

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Silvia Gomez

Silvia Gomez

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.

Interact with Fishipedia

To get in touch with our team or participate in our project.

Template and content © Fishipedia - Unauthorized reproduction without prior request - ISSN 2270-7247 - Last modification 12/11/2023

Scientific partners

UICN France fishbase Worms BioObs

Tags

#Carcharhinidae

#Prionace

#plein eau

#shark

#Bay of Bengal

#Gulf of Mexico

#Persian Gulf

#Great Barrier Reef

#mer d'Oman

#Ross Sea

#Tasman Sea

#mer de Weddell

#Philippine Sea

#Sea of Japan

#Labrador Sea

#Mediterranean Sea

#Black Sea

#Red Sea

#South East Asian Seas

#Indonesian seas

#Atlantic Ocean: North Coast of Brazil

#Océan Atlantique Est Afrique - Angulhas

#Océan Atlantique Est Afrique - Bengala

#Océan Atlantique Est Afrique - Golfe de guinée

#Temperate Eastern Atlantic Ocean

#Océan Atlantique Est Afrique - Transition & Cap Vert

#Eastern Cold Atlantic Ocean

#Gough Island

#Saint Helena

#Cold temperate Northwest Atlantic Ocean

#Northwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean

#Southwest warm temperate Atlantic Ocean

#Eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean

#Southwest Tropical Atlantic Ocean

#western Indian Ocean

#Desventuradas Islands

#Galapagos

#Océan Pacifique Nord Est Tempere Chaud

#Océan Pacifique nord-est tempéré froid

#Océan Pacifique sud-est tempéré chaud

#Tropical Eastern Pacific

#Western Tropical Pacific Ocean

#Corsica

#Canary Islands

#Sardinia

#Sicily

Species of the same family

Species of the same biotope

  • {{name}}

    {{#street_number}}{{street_number}}, {{/street_number}}{{#route}}{{route}}{{/route}}
    {{postal_code}} {{town}}

    {{#phone}}{{phone}}{{/phone}}{{^phone}}-{{/phone}}
    {{#displayDistance}}{{getFormatDistance}}{{/displayDistance}}