Shortfin mako (Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland)

Shortfin mako

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Shortfin mako
The shortfin mako has prominent keels, a crescent shaped tail fin with similar sized lobes and a very smalll pelvic fin.
The shortfin mako shark is found mostly offshore in all Australian waters, with the exception of the Gulf of Carpentaria and north of the Northern Territory
Distribution of the shortfin mako shark.
The snout of the shortfin mako is long and sharply pointed. It has prominently protruding teeth.
The snout is long and sharply pointed, with prominently protruding teeth.
Picture: Jonathan Werry, Griffith University
The shortfin mako's teeth are long, smooth and sharply pointed at the front of the mouth and shorter and more triangular towards the sides
The teeth are long, smooth and sharply pointed at the front of the mouth and shorter and more triangular towards the sides.
Picture: Glenn and Heidi Reed.
(www.tellmewhereonearth.com)

Scientific name

Isurus oxyrinchus. CAAB code: 37 010001.
Family

Mackerel sharks.
Other names
  • mako shark
  • blue pointer
  • mackerel shark
  • snapper shark.
Frequent misidentifications
  • blue shark (P. glauca)
  • juvenile white shark (C. carcharias).
Description
  • large, moderately slender shark
  • indigo-blue on the upper surface and white underneath
  • similar sized upper and lower caudal fin lobes (compared to the blue shark where the upper lobe is much longer)
  • noticeably protruding teeth.
Distribution

Mostly offshore.
Size

70 to at least 400 cm.
Fisheries

May interact with line fisheries.

Further information

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Page maintained by Cassie France
Last reviewed 02 March 2009

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