Spadenose shark

What it is

This small, stocky shark belongs to the requiem family. It is best known for its broad head and distinctive trowel-shaped snout, which is highly flattened. The body is bronze-gray on top with a white belly. Its fins are plain, though sometimes darker than the rest of the body. Adults typically reach lengths of 74 cm, making them manageable for local fishers. The eyes and nostrils are small, and the mouth corners sit well behind the eyes. Teeth are blade-like without serrations, suited for gripping slippery prey.

Where it lives

These sharks inhabit the western Indo-Pacific region. Their range extends from Tanzania in the west to Japan and Taiwan in the north. They are common around South and Southeast Asia, including Java and Borneo. They prefer shallow coastal waters, usually staying at depths between 10 and 13 metres. Rocky bottoms are frequent habitats. Reports exist of them in river lower reaches in Malaysia and Sumatra, but it remains unclear if they tolerate fresh water like bull sharks.

How it lives

Spadenose sharks are abundant and often form large schools. They are active predators of small bony fishes such as anchovies, codlets, and Bombay ducks. Their diet also includes invertebrates like shrimp, crabs, and cuttlefish. Parasites such as tapeworms and roundworm larvae have been found in this species. Despite their predatory nature, they are harmless to humans. Their schooling behaviour makes them visible and accessible to coastal fishing operations throughout their range.

Breeding and life cycle

This species displays the most advanced placental connection seen in any fish. Embryos become dependent on the mother at just 3 mm in length. A complex structure called the trophonematal cup facilitates nutrient transfer from the mother’s blood. Females breed year-round with a gestation period of five to six months. Litters contain six to 18 pups, born at 12 to 15 cm long. Males mature at 24 to 36 cm, while females mature slightly larger. Lifespan is short, estimated at five to six years.

Fish and people

Fishers target this shark using gillnets, trawls, and longlines. The meat is consumed locally or used as bait for other species. Fins are prized for shark fin soup. Carcasses are often processed into fishmeal. The meat can also be treated to create gel powder for food supplements or biodegradable packaging. In India and Pakistan, catches are substantial, with hundreds of tons landed annually in some areas. It is a common sight in Chinese coastal markets. The species is harmless to swimmers and divers.

Status and threats

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists this shark as near threatened. Heavy fishing pressure across its range poses a significant risk. It is frequently caught as bycatch in gillnet fisheries, particularly off Kalimantan. Coastal development threatens its inshore habitat. However, its short reproductive cycle may offer some resilience compared to slower-growing sharks. Despite this, its low number of offspring per litter means populations can decline if overfished. Comprehensive fishery statistics remain lacking for many regions.

Questions people ask about Spadenose shark

Good reading and sources

• Spadenose shark on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data