Common Name:
Tope Shark.
Latin Name:
Galeorhinus galeus.
Other Names:
School shark, soupfin shark or snapper shark.
Primary Classification:
Hound Shark
Sub Classification:
Triakidae.
Description:
The school shark has a long, pointed snout, a large mouth, and small blade-like teeth. The second dorsal fin is about as large as the anal fin and the terminal caudal fin lobe is as long as the rest of the fin. It is greyish above, white below, and the young have black markings on their fins.
Tope are mainly found on on continental and insular shelves, but is also found on the upper slopes, at depths from near shore to 550 m. They feed on fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, worms, and echinoderms and adapt quite well in captivity if carefully captured and handled.