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What Are Thresher Sharks? Are They Really Sharks?

The sleek and often misunderstood cousin of the shark, the ray, is the focus of this introduction. With its distinctive long tail, this creature has often been mistaken for a young shark. But is it a shark or something more unique? This article will delve into the world of rays, shedding light on their true nature and revealing the mysteries of these long-tailed fish.

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14 July, 2024

The long-tail thresher, or Alopias pelagicus, is a species of shark-like ray-finned fish that may be mistaken for a baby shark at first glance due to its small size and unique shape. Let’s explore the facts and learn more about this fascinating creature.

1 What is a Long-tail Thresher?

The long-tail thresher is a species of shark-like ray-finned fish belonging to the Lamniformes order, the Alopiidae family, and the Alopias genus. Its scientific name is Alopias pelagicus. This fish is also known by various common names such as baby shark, milk shark, fox shark, or scythefish.

Threshers are carnivorous and known for their aggressive behavior, speed, and agility in the water.

The long-tail thresher is the smallest of the three species within the Alopiidae family, with an average length of 3 meters and a weight of 69.5 kilograms. The maximum recorded weight for this species is 88.4 kilograms. They are carnivorous and known for their aggressive behavior, speed, and agility in the water. Their diet primarily consists of small crustaceans and fish.

Threshers are considered a commercial fish species.

Long-tail threshers are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. They typically have a litter size of two, and their range includes the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with occasional sightings in South Africa, the Red Sea, and the Arabian Sea.

Threshers are considered a commercial fish species. Their meat, skin, and liver oil are all valuable, making them a target for fisheries. Unfortunately, this has led to overfishing and the species is now facing a risk of extinction.

2 Are Threshers Baby Sharks?

Despite their resemblance to small sharks, threshers are not baby sharks or related to sharks at all. There are several distinct differences between these two species:

Threshers have a maximum length of 3.3 meters and a weight of up to 88.4 kilograms.

Size is one of the most noticeable differences. Threshers are much smaller than sharks, reaching a maximum length of 3.3 meters and a weight of up to 88.4 kilograms. In contrast, sharks typically have an average length of 4 to 5.2 meters and weigh between 680 and 1100 kilograms.

Coloration is another distinguishing factor. Threshers have a dark brown body, a pale white underside, and black-brown edged fins. They may also have stripes or spots on their backs. Sharks, on the other hand, are usually white with a gray or blue back.

Sharks are larger in size compared to threshers.

Threshers have smaller mouths with a pair of barbels, flat teeth, and a three-pointed tooth structure, with the middle point being the largest. Sharks, on the other hand, have larger jaws with triangular teeth and additional rows of serrated teeth behind the main ones.

The body shape of threshers is also different, with a fusiform shape that tapers towards the tail. Their tails are long and thin, ending in a point. Sharks have more balanced tails, with two equally sized lobes.

3 Thresher Price and Availability

Due to overfishing, threshers are becoming increasingly scarce, making it challenging to source them. They can still be found in some seafood markets, large supermarkets, and online seafood retailers.

Threshers are facing overfishing and potential depletion.

If you’re looking for fresh threshers, your best bet is to contact seafood traders at ports in La Gi, Phan Thiet, Loc An, Ben Da, or in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, including Kien Giang and Soc Trang.

It can be challenging to find threshers for purchase.

Prices for threshers vary depending on the market and season. As of June 2021, the average price for a whole thresher ranges from 290,000 to 870,000 VND per fish, depending on its weight. Pre-cut thresher slices are also available for approximately 250,000 VND per kilogram.

4 How to Choose Fresh and Delicious Threshers

When purchasing fresh threshers, look for the following signs of quality:

For live threshers, choose those that are actively swimming and displaying agile movements.
Look for bright, undamaged skin, clear eyes with visible pupils, and red gills.

Choose live threshers that are actively swimming and agile.

For pre-cut or sliced threshers, select pieces with firm, elastic flesh that feels rough to the touch. Avoid those with flaky skin or a slimy texture.
Avoid threshers with bruises, crushed areas, a strong odor, a sunken belly, or a protruding anus.
For the best quality and peace of mind, purchase threshers from reputable large seafood markets or trusted online seafood retailers.

In conclusion, this article has provided insights into the long-tail thresher, a fascinating species often mistaken for a baby shark. We hope you found this information interesting and useful.

Frequently asked questions

The thresher shark is a type of shark that belongs to the family Alopiidae. It is characterized by its long, whip-like tail, which can grow to be as long as the shark’s body.

Yes, thresher sharks are indeed true sharks. They are not to be confused with other fish that may have similar names or appearances, such as the thorny shark or the whale shark.

There are three species of thresher sharks: the common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus), the bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus), and the pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus). Each species can be distinguished by slight differences in their appearance and habitat preferences.

Thresher sharks can be found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. They are often pelagic, meaning they live in the open ocean, but they may also be found in coastal areas and even enter shallow bays and estuaries.

Thresher sharks are carnivorous and feed on a variety of prey, including small fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are known for their unique hunting technique, where they use their long tails to stun or knock their prey before consuming them.

While thresher sharks are curious and may approach divers or swimmers, they are generally not considered a threat to humans. There have been very few reported incidents of thresher sharks attacking people, and these have typically been cases of mistaken identity or defensive behavior.

Unfortunately, thresher sharks are listed as vulnerable or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Overfishing, primarily for their fins and meat, as well as entanglement in fishing gear, are the main threats facing thresher shark populations.

Conservation efforts for thresher sharks include implementing fishing quotas and regulations, establishing marine protected areas, and raising public awareness about their importance and the threats they face.