FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

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Carcharhinidae 1349
Galeocerdo cuvier (Peron and LeSueur in LeSueur, 1822)
Frequent synonyms / misidentifications: Galeocerdo arcticus (Faber, 1829); G. rayneri McDonald and
Barron, 1868 / None.
FAO names: En - Tiger shark; Fr - Requin tigre commun (= Requin tigre, Area 31); Sp - Tintorera.
Diagnostic characters: A large, fusiform shark.
Snout very short and bluntly rounded, its
length much less than width of mouth;
spiracles small, slit-like, but easily visible; upper
labial furrows about as long as snout,
reaching to front of eyes; teeth coarsely
serrated, their outer edges deeply notched
and the tips directed obliquely outward, their
inner edges broadly convex. Second dorsal fin
much smaller than first. A low rounded keel on
each side of caudal peduncle. Colour: back
dark grey or greyish brown with dark brown or
ventral view
of head
upper
labial
furrow
upper and lower
tooth near centre
black rectangular spots often forming bars on sides and fins, but fading with growth.
Size: Maximum total length at least 6.5 m; commonly to 4 m; size at birth between 60 cm and 1.04 m.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Inhabits coastal, and offshore waters, near the surface and bottom; often
found in shallow waters close inshore, including river estuaries. Ovoviviparous and very prolific with 10 to
82 young in a litter. A voracious, indiscriminate predator feeding on all kinds of fish (including other sharks
and rays), marine mammals, turtles, seabirds, sea snakes, squids, conchs, and crabs. Often swallows a
variety of undigestible and non-nutritive items, and readily feeds on carrion. Considered among the most
dangerous of sharks because of its shallow-water habitat, large jaws and teeth, indiscriminate appetite,
and large size; several attacks on people have been recorded for this species. Caught in floating and bottom
gill nets and with line gear (including pelagic longlines). Utilized for its high-quality hide, for its fins, liver oil
and flesh, and offal for fishmeal.
Distribution: Circumglobal in
most tropical seas, with
seasonal migrations into
warm-temperate to temperate
seas.