Dusky Shark

Size

To about 12 ft (3.7 m).

Distingushing Characteristics

First dorsal fin sloping, originating over or slightly before free tips of pectoral fins

Second dorsal fin with free tip length rarely more than twice fin height

Color gray or bluish-gray above, white below

Interdorsal ridge

Distribution

Cape Cod, MA, and Georges Back to FL, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Habitat

Continental waters inshore to outer continental shelf and adjacent oceanic waters

Similar Species

Sandbar shark, and bignose shark have higher first dorsal fins originating farther forward. Sandbar shark, most difficult to distinguish, attains smaller maximum size. Bignose shark has longer snout. Silky shark has second dorsal fin with free tip length usually more than twice fin height. Night shark has green eyes. Bull shark and Spinner shark lack interdorsal ridges.