Fauna
Fish

Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Also known as Large Blacktip Shark, Inkfin Shark, Long-nosed Grey Shark

Spinner sharks are agile pelagic hunters famous for rocketing vertically through schools of prey, spinning up to three times on their axis before breaching meters above the sea surface. They primarily hunt schooling teleost fish, slicing through bait balls with open jaws before completing their spectacular aerial displays. Females give birth to live pups in protected shallow coastal bays and estuaries, where the young remain during their vulnerable early years.

MarinePredatorAgile Swimmer
Spinner Shark reference1 / 2
(c) Jean-Lou Justine, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAtlantic Menhaden, Sardines, Squid
Predators
  • Tiger Shark
  • Bull Shark
  • Great White Shark
ThreatsCommercial longline and gillnet fisheries, shark fin trade, and accidental bycatch
HabitatsWarm-temperate and tropical coastal waters, continental shelves, and shallow bays
Life span15–20 years
Classification
  1. OrderCarcharhiniformes
  2. FamilyCarcharhinidae
  3. GenusCarcharhinus
  4. SpeciesCarcharhinus brevipinna
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Large, active shark capable of severe defensive bites; maintain distance and avoid swimming near feeding frenzies.
Why it is dangerous
Possesses serrated teeth and immense jaw pressure capable of severing tissue and bone during mistaken feeding strikes.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a slender torpedo shape, pointed snout, and black tips on nearly all fins including the anal fin.
What to do
Never corner, spear, or touch in the water, and exit quietly if feeding activity intensifies nearby.
What to notice
Distinguished from common blacktip sharks by its slender body and first dorsal fin set farther back.
Support conservation
Give nursery estuaries wide berth during pupping season and report incidental catches to research programs.
Responsible observation
  • Observation distance: Keep several meters of open water between yourself and swimming individuals.
  • Bait ball avoidance: Exit the water immediately if fish begin leaping or balling tightly at the surface.
  • Angler etiquette: Use heavy gear and non-stainless circle hooks to allow swift, unharmed release.
Related species
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