Porbeagle
D-Heringshai; GB-Porbeagle; DK-Sildehaj; PL-Lamna śledziowa; EST-Harilik heeringahai; RU-Атлантическая сельдевая акула; FIN-Sillihai; S-Håbrand
Characters
1) Second dorsal fin much smaller than first one.
2) Caudal peduncle with prominent lateral keel.
3) Pectoral fin ends directly beneath dorsal fin.
●) 5 gill openings, bulky body.
●) Back dark-grey to blue-grey, belly white.
Usually 2.2 to 2.6 m length, max. 3.7 m and 200 kg weight.
Similar species
Blue shark - much more slender; pectoral fin ends clearly before origin of dorsal fin; no keel on caudal peduncle.
Spurdog - thorns in front of dorsal fins; no keel on caudal peduncle; without anal fin.
Biology
Pelagic, usually close to the surface, occasionally down to 700 m depth. After an gestation period of 8 month one to five young will be born with a length up to 60 cm. Unborn offspring feeds on unfertilized eggs.Diet
Mainly shoaling fish, like hering and makerel. Sometimes spiny dogfish, cod and flatfishes. Occasionally hunting in groups.Importance
Important and liked foodfish.Endangerment
Due to slow reproduction and uncontrolled fisheries endangered. Often end up as by-catch in nets and on longlines.Lamna nasus
