A-Z Index

LONGFIN MAKO

Isurus paucus

SIZE

To about 14 ft (4.3 m).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Pectoral fins long (as long as or longer than head), broad-tipped
Color dark blue to bluish-black above, bluish-gray or white below
Eyes large
Mouth area and underside of conical snout dusky or bluish-black
Caudal fin lunate with single keel on caudal peduncle
Teeth long, bladelike, smooth-edged, protruding from mouth

DISTRIBUTION

Georges Bank to Gulf of Mexico. Generally rare throughout its range.

HABITAT

Offshore; deep dwelling.

SIMILAR SPECIES

Shortfin mako has smaller eyes, white area around mouth and underside of snout except in large individuals (800-1,000 lb (363-454 kg)), pectoral fins shorter than head length. Blue shark lacks lunate caudal fin, caudal keels, sharply pointed snout. White shark has triangular teeth with serrated edges, blunter snout. Porbeagle has shorter pectoral fins, small secondary keels on caudal fin, teeth with lateral cusplets.