THE LOWER FISHES 



15"; 



Distribution: Common in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico and in summer 

 to Cape Hatteras. Straggles to New York. 



Identification: This shark is a southern counterpart, ecologically speaking, of 

 the smooth dogfish. The small size of the second dorsal fin, lack of spiracles, 

 short gill slits, and prominent labial furrow serve to identify it. The color is 

 brown to gray with the dorsal and tail fin edged in black. The body is quite slim. 



Habits: A typical beach, surf, and estuary species, this shark has never been 

 found more than one or two miles from land. It eats a wide variety of small 

 in\'ertebrates and fishes and has not endeared itself to fishermen because of its 

 habit of preying on their baits. It is viviparous. 



Similar Sfecies: The Pacific Sharp Nose, Scoliodon longurio, is found from 

 southern California to Panama. It reaches 3Vi feet and 9 pounds. It is rare in 

 scientific collections but should be common in bays in its range and should be 

 looked for. 



SOUP-FIN (oil shark, tope) : Galeorhiniis zyopterns 



Size: Females reach 6^2 feet, males up to 6 feet. 



Weight: Females reach 100 pounds, males 60 pounds. 



Distribution: Pacific Coast from San Francisco, to Cedros Island. 



Identification: Similar to the blue shark but has short pectoral fins, no pre- 

 caudal pit, and is brown to gray in color. The dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins 

 are tipped with black. 



Habits: This voracious shark eats all sorts of fishes, squids and other inverte- 

 brates, and even carrion. It is the most valuable shark commercially and is 

 sought for its liver which is rich in vitamin A. The flesh is very good, and the 

 fins are used to make the famous sharks-fin soup. This is an inshore species. 



Fig. 65. Sharp-nosed shark. 



Fig. 66. Soup-fin shark. 



