Spadenose Shark

Bronze grey above, white below, fins sometimes darker than body; no conspicuous markings (Ref. 9997).

Viviparous, with an unusual columnar placenta (Ref. 244). Maternal and foetal placenta comprises the entire placenta (Ref. 39556). Transplacental nutrient transfer may be hemotrophic (Ref. 39556). Litter size varies from 1 (Ref. 58048) to 14 (Ref. 9997). Size at birth about 13 to 15 cm TL (Ref. 9997). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205).

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0

Found on rocky substrates of coastal waters and lower reaches of tropical rivers (Ref. 244). It is uncertain, however, if this species can live in perfectly fresh water for extended periods (Ref. 244). Forms large schools (Ref. 244). Adults feed on small bony fishes, shrimps and cuttlefish (Ref. 244). Viviparous (Ref. 50449). Common by-catch of the inshore demersal gillnet fisheries, particularly those operating off Kalimantan (Ref.58048). Utilized fresh for human consumption; processed into fishmeal and used as bait for other sharks and bony fishes (Ref. 244). Maximum sizes up to 120 cm unconfirmed (Ref. 244).

fisheries: commercial; bait: usually