FWC Home : Wildlife & Habitats : Species Information : Saltwater Fish Identification :  Sandbar Shark

Requien Sharks: Sandbar Shark

Family Carcharhinidae, REQUIEM SHARKS
Carcharhinus plumbeus

Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: snout broadly rounded and short; first dorsal fin triangular and very high; poorly developed dermal ridge between dorsal fins; brown or gray in color with white underside; upper and lower teeth finely serrated.

Similar Fish: dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus; bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas.

Where found: NEARSHORE fish typically found at depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet.

Size: common to 6 feet.

*Florida Record: n/a

Remarks: both predator and scavenger; feeding chiefly near the bottom on fish and shellfish; migrates long distances; matures at about 6 feet in length.

* The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.