Species profile
Smalltail Shark
Carcharhinus porosus
Identify Smalltail Shark (Carcharhinus porosus) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Smalltail Shark (Carcharhinus porosus) is an IUCN Critically Endangered invertebrate regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Listed under MSA and CITES — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Smalltail sharks rarely exceed 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) in total length.
- They inhabit shallow coastal waters, including estuaries and river mouths.
- Found in tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific.
- Litters are small, typically just 2 to 7 pups per birth.
- Their diet consists mainly of small bony fish and benthic invertebrates.
Jurisdictions with rules for Smalltail Shark
Protected status
- Atlantic HMS prohibited — must release unharmed.
- 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 smalltail shark (Carcharhinus porosus) is a species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from the northern Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil. It inhabits shallow waters close to shore, particularly over muddy bottoms around estuaries. It tends to swim low in the water column and forms large aggregations segregated by sex. A slim…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Smalltail Shark article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other invertebrates on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Smalltail Shark?
Smalltail Shark (Carcharhinus porosus) is an IUCN Critically Endangered invertebrate regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Smalltail Shark?
Smalltail Shark is Carcharhinus porosus.
Is Smalltail Shark regulated for fishing?
Yes — Smalltail Shark has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Smalltail Shark?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Smalltail Shark along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.