Species profile
Finetooth Shark
Carcharhinus isodon
At a glance
Finetooth Shark (Carcharhinus isodon) is an IUCN Near Threatened shark or ray regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 1 per angler across the 5 regulating jurisdictions.
Confirmed by 204 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under CITES — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Named for its unusually fine, smooth-edged teeth compared to other requiem sharks.
- A small, slender species that typically reaches only 4–5 feet in length.
- Common along the US Atlantic coast and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
- Often forms large schools in shallow coastal waters during summer months.
- Feeds mainly on fast-moving fish like Atlantic menhaden and mullet.
Where Finetooth Shark are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Finetooth Shark
Protected status
- CITES Appendix II (Carcharhinidae — all requiem sharks, CoP19 effective Nov 2023).
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The finetooth shark is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from North Carolina to Brazil. It forms large schools in shallow, coastal waters, and migrates seasonally following warm water. A relatively small, slender-bodied shark, the finetooth shark can be identified by its needle-like teeth, dark blue-gray dorsal coloration, and long gill…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Finetooth Shark article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other sharks & rays on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.