Silky Shark

Maximum length for this species is 3.3 m (10 ft), but most are much smaller. Males mature at 215-230 cm (9-10 years of age) and grow to a lesser size than females, which reach maturity at 230-245 cm (12 years of age), however, these numbers may vary by population. Usually not very large - from 30-100 pounds - but is not rare at 200-300 pounds. World record 762 pounds, 12 ounces.

Family	Carcharhinidae
Description	Requiem sharks
Environment	Fresh, Brackish & Marine
Etymology	Greek, karcharos, -ou = cutting, sharp and also a kind of shark + Greek, rhinos = nose
Genus	12
No. of Species	59
Order	Carcharhiniformes
Class	Elasmobranchii
Reproductive Guild	Bearers
Distribution	Global. Gill openings 5, the fifth behind origin of pectoral fin. Small to large sharks with round eyes, internal nictitating eyelids, no nasoral grooves or barbels, usually no spiracles. Teeth usually bladelike with one cusp. Development usually viviparous with young born fully developed. Includes several dangerous species, but most prefer to avoid divers.

Wharf Shark

These sharks love the warm, tropical waters all over the world. They are the most common sharks of the “Pelagic Zone” which are continental shelves with depths of 500 meters or more (1,640ft). But often times, they are seen near the surface as well. The desired water temperature is 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (60 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Found abundantly near the edge of continental and insular shelves, but also in the open sea and occasionally inshore. Often found in deepwater reefs and near insular slopes. Littoral and epipelagic, in the open sea or near the bottom at 18-500 m. It is quick-moving and aggressive. Solitary; often associated with schools of tuna. Feeds mainly on fishes, but also squid, paper nautiluses, and pelagic crabs. Viviparous. Regarded as dangerous to humans. Flesh utilized fresh and dried-salted for human consumption; its hide for leather; its fin for shark-fin soup; its liver for oil. 2 to 14 young, 73 to 87 cm, are born per litter

Gray to brown above, white below. Skin looks and feels silky. Dorsal is comparatively small and begins at a point behind the pectoral fin. Most are a Bluish gray, large slender shark, the Silky is characterized by a moderately extended, rounded snout, a relatively sloping first dorsal fin with a blunt apex that originates behind the free margins of the pectoral fins, a small second dorsal fin with an extremely long free rear tip (more than 2x the height), and a low inter-dorsal ridge. Pectoral fins are long and slender, typically with dusky tips. The Silky Shark, also known as the Carcharhinus Falciformis, gets its name from the smooth and silky texture of its skin. Depending on its geographical location, it is also known as the Grey Reef Shark, Olive, Whaler, and sometimes Blackspot. These sharks have a streamlined and slim body. As adults, they can reach 3.5 meters (12ft) in length and weigh around 350 kilograms (770 pounds). They have an extremely strong sense of hearing. This acts as a great advantage for locating their preys, mostly consisting of bony fish (especially Tuna), octopuses, and squids. These predators have a perfect and effective hunting behavior. They dive together in large groups of fish and attack them with lighting fast speed and wide open mouths. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. A large, slim shark with a moderately long, flat and rounded snout, large eyes, small jaws, and oblique-cusped teeth with serrations; 2nd dorsal fin low and with greatly elongated rear tip. Grey or bluish-grey above, white below; no conspicuous fin markings. Only Carcharhinus species with an interdorsal ridge that has the dorsal fin origin behind the free rear tip of the pectoral fin

Viviparous, placental. 2-15 pups born at 57-87 cm TL; 1-16 pups born at 55-72 cm TL. Females appear to breed every year, but there appears to be no reproductive seasonality (Ref.58048). Distinct pairing with embrace

Summary of Distribution: Circumtropical. Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to Uruguay. Eastern Atlantic: Spain, Madeira to northern Angola; St. Paul's Rocks; Cape Verde. Indo-Pacific: scattered records from the Red Sea and Natal, South Africa to China, New Zealand, and the Caroline, Hawaiian, Phoenix and Line islands. Eastern Pacific: southern Baja California, Mexico to northern Chile. Highly migratory species,
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Can often be sighted and - if the angler wishes - baited in clear offshore waters. Baits cut from fresh-dead fish, such as Bonito, are best.

Available Sizes: 53 in. - 216 in. Details: Fired-Enamel Glass Eye