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Dusky Shark
Carcharhinus obscurus (Lesueur, 1818)

All images: Dusky Sharks at a depth of 9 m (water depth 22 m), Alliwal Shoals, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, December 2007. Photo © R. Harcourt. View larger image.

Photo © R. Harcourt. View larger image.

Photo © R. Harcourt. View larger image.

The Dusky Shark has a long pointed snout, long pectoral fins and a low ridge between the dorsal fins. The first dorsal fin is tall and the tail is heterocercal. The teeth are serrated. Those in the upper jaw are broad and triangular. The lower jaw teeth are more slender.

The species is grey to grey-brown above and pale below. There is an indistinct stripe on the side of the body. It extends forward from above the pelvic fins. In juveniles, the lower lobe of the caudal fin and underside of the pectoral fins are dusky. Fin markings become less distinct as the fish ages.

The Dusky Shark grows to 3.65 m in length.

It occurs in continental and insular shelf waters from the surface to a depth of 400 m. It is found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate waters.

In Australia it is found in all coastal and continental shelf waters.

The Dusky Shark is also known as the Black Whaler and Dusky Whaler.

View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.

View a low resolution movie clip (75k) of this species. Go to the movies page for high and low resolution versions.

Related links

• Dusky Shark juveniles in Sydney
• Grey Whaler Shark fact sheet
• Silky Shark fact sheet
• Bull Shark fact sheet
• Blacktip Reef Shark fact sheet
• View the Family Carcharhinidae list
• View the Sharks list

Further reading

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Daley, R.K., Stevens, J.D., Last, P.R., & G.K. Yearsley. 2002. Field guide to Australian Sharks & Rays. CSIRO Marine Research and Fisheries Research & Development Corporation. Pp. 84.
3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
6. Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994 Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513.
7. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.