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BLUE SHARK
Prionace glauca
SIZE
To about 12.5 ft (3.8 m).
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
- Pectoral fins very long, narrow, pointed
- Caudal fin nonlunate
- Body slender
- Snout rounded, long
- Color dark blue above, bright blue with metallic hues on sides, white underside
- First dorsal fin closer to pelvic fins than to pectoral fins
DISTRIBUTION
Newfoundland, Canada, to Argentina, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Common in U.S. Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
HABITAT
Offshore; relatively cool waters 45-70°F (7-21°C); surface to about 1,970 ft (600 m).
SIMILAR SPECIES
Shortfin mako and longfin mako have more pointed snouts, protruding smooth-edged teeth, stouter bodies, lunate caudal fins, strong caudal keels.
MORE INFORMATION
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Text descriptions taken from Guide to Sharks, Tunas, & Billfishes of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico |
Blue shark length-weight relationship
A tagged blue shark
Canadian Shark Research Laboratory
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(File Modified Sep. 13 2011)
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