Requiem sharks
Sandbar shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus
A sturdy coastal shark known for an unusually tall triangular first dorsal fin.
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Every figure uses the same scale. The shark image is shown at the species’ published maximum length; individual animals vary.
Continental shelves, sandy banks, harbors, estuaries, and bay mouths, usually close to the bottom.
Temperate and tropical waters worldwide, including the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Commonly about 60–200 ft
Small fish, eels, rays, dogfish, octopus, squid, shrimp, and crabs.
Very tall first dorsal fin, broad pectoral fins, rounded snout, and a ridge between the dorsal fins.
Live-bearing with a long reproductive cycle; bays and estuaries from Delaware to North Carolina are important nurseries.
Species facts
Did you know?
Sandbars often migrate seasonally as water temperatures change.
Their slow growth and reproduction make populations sensitive to fishing pressure.