Depth
Carcharhinus · Sharks & Rays

Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

0-100m
Depth Range
2.8m
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
0-100m
Depth Range
2.8m
Max Size
Pelagic
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Schooling
Social
VU
IUCN Status
Very Rare
Sighting Likelihood
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Elasmobranchii
Genus Carcharhinus
Species brevipinna

Elasmobranch

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationA fast, athletic requiem shark with a long, pointed snout, small eyes, and black-tipped fins (particularly the second dorsal, anal, and lower caudal lobe). Grey to bronze on top with a white belly. Very similar to the blacktip shark but with a slimmer body.
  • SizeCommonly 1.5 to 2 m. Maximum recorded length 3 m and weight up to 90 kg.
  • Social HabitOften in groups. Named for its dramatic spinning leaps out of the water, performed while spiralling upward through schools of fish with its mouth open.
  • HabitatCoastal and offshore waters over continental shelves. Prefers warm, clear water near schools of prey fish.
  • Depth0 to 75 m. Typically in water shallower than 30 m.
  • Feeds OnSmall schooling fish (sardines, anchovies, herring), squid, octopus, and small rays.
  • DistributionWorldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas. In the Mediterranean, recorded mainly in the eastern and southern basins. Rare.
  • DescriptionCarcharhinus brevipinna is best known for its spinning aerial displays while feeding. It approaches a bait ball from below, spiralling through the school with its mouth open, and the momentum often carries it clear of the water surface. Mediterranean records are uncommon and it is listed as Vulnerable globally by the IUCN.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

An inshore and offshore pelagic species found in warm Mediterranean waters. Spinner sharks prefer coastal areas and are occasionally encountered near the surface in open water, though they are uncommon in the Mediterranean basin.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Favours warm, shallow coastal waters and the upper layers of the open sea. Often found near large schools of small pelagic fish, following seasonal prey movements along the continental shelf.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Spinner Shark species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

Charges vertically through fish schools from below, spinning on its axis with mouth open to capture multiple prey in a single pass. Feeds on sardines, anchovies, herring, and small tuna.

Spinning attack

Reproduction

Viviparous with a yolk-sac placenta. Litters range from 3 to 15 pups after a gestation of 11-15 months. Uses shallow coastal areas as nursery grounds.

Viviparous

Behaviour & Defence

Extremely fast and agile, relying on speed to evade threats. Not considered dangerous to humans, though it may become excited during feeding events.

Speed and agility

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Carcharhinus brevipinna may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red List Vulnerable

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide