Longfin mako shark

What it is

This species is a large mackerel shark with a slim, fusiform body. It features a long, pointed snout and large eyes that lack protective third eyelids. Its most distinct trait is the pair of long, broad pectoral fins, which are as long as or longer than its head. The colouration is dark blue or grayish black on the upper side and white below. Adults often show dusky mottling around the jaw and pectoral fin origins. It can grow up to 4.3 metres in length.

Where it lives

Records suggest a global distribution across tropical and warm-temperate waters. In the Atlantic, it inhabits areas from the Gulf Stream to southern Brazil and from the Iberian Peninsula to Ghana. It is also found in the Indian Ocean near Mozambique and in the Pacific off Japan, Australia, and California. The shark typically stays in deeper water during the day, descending to the mesopelagic zone, and rises closer to the surface at night.

How it lives

The longfin mako is a visual hunter, attracted to light sources in dark water. Its diet primarily consists of small schooling fish and squids. There is evidence it may attack swordfish, as one specimen was found with a broken bill lodged in its abdomen. Its slender build and long fins suggest it is a slower swimmer compared to the energetic shortfin mako. Adult individuals have no known natural predators, though juveniles may be eaten by larger sharks.

Breeding and life cycle

Reproduction is aplacental viviparous, meaning embryos develop inside the uterus without a placental connection. The unborn young practice oophagy, feeding on nonviable eggs produced by the mother after exhausting their yolk supply. Litter sizes are usually two but can reach eight. Pups are born relatively large, measuring nearly a metre in length. Females likely move to shallow coastal waters in winter to give birth.

Fish and people

This shark is caught unintentionally in longline and gillnet fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish. Its meat is considered poor quality due to a mushy texture, and its fins are less valued than those of other species. Despite this, captured individuals are often finned at sea. Retention is prohibited in United States Atlantic waters. No attacks on humans have been recorded, but its size and teeth make it potentially dangerous.

Status and threats

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists this species as endangered. This assessment reflects its rarity, slow reproductive rate, and ongoing mortality from bycatch. Populations appear to be declining, mirroring trends seen in the shortfin mako. It is included in international agreements aimed at protecting migratory sharks from overexploitation.

Relatives and look-alikes

It is closely related to the shortfin mako and the great white shark. Fossil evidence links it to ancient relatives from the Miocene epoch. It is frequently confused with the shortfin mako, though the longfin variety has proportionally larger pectoral fins and a more slender profile. It also shares morphological similarities with the oceanic whitetip and blue shark.

Questions people ask about Longfin mako shark

Good reading and sources

• Longfin mako shark on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data