Thresher (Bigeye)

Max length : 488 cm TL male/unsexed; common length : 350 cm TL male/unsexed; max. published weight: 363.8 kg; max. reported age: 20 years

Family	Alopiidae
Description	Thresher sharks
Environment	Marine
Etymology	Greek, alopex = fox
Genus	1
No. of Species	3
Order	Lamniformes
Class	Elasmobranchii
Reproductive Guild	Bearers
Distribution	Marine; all oceans. Upper lobe of caudal fin greatly elongate, caudal fin almost one-half of total length; third to fifth gill openings over origin of pectoral fin. Ovoviviparous, embryos feeding on yolk sac and other ova produced by the mother

Occurs in coastal waters over continental shelves, sometimes close inshore in shallow waters, and on the high seas far from land. Oceanic, pelagic and near bottom at 1->500 m. Depth range to at least 500 m. Feeds on pelagic fishes (lancetfishes, herring, mackerel and small billfishes) and bottom fishes and squids. Ovoviviparous, embryos feeding on yolk sac and other ova produced by the mother. Stuns its prey with its long caudal fin.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. A large thresher with very large eyes, an indented forehead, a broad caudal tip, and curved broad-tipped pectoral fins; 1st dorsal fin further back than in other threshers. Upper lobe of caudal fin very long and strap-like almost or quite equal to length of rest of shark; lower lobe short but well developed (Ref. 13570). Purplish grey above, cream below, posterior edges of pectoral and pelvic fins and sometimes first dorsal fin dusky; light color of abdomen not expanded over pectoral-fin bas

Summary of Distribution: Circumglobal; tropical and temperate seas. Highly migratory species,
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)