Carcharhinidae

noun

Distribution: global. Gill openings 5, the fifth behind origin of pectoral fin. Small to large sharks with round eyes, internal nictitating eyelids, no nasoral grooves or barbels, usually no spiracles. Teeth usually bladelike with one cusp. Development usually viviparous with young born fully developed. Includes several dangerous species, but most prefer to avoid divers.

The family Carcharhinidae belongs to the Class Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) and the Order Carcharhiniformes. It contains 12 genera and 50 species. It may be found in Marine, Brackish, and Freshwater environments and is primarily Marine. Members of this family are not used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are bearers. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is carangiform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be active. Members of this family have been dated back to the lower Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period. This family may be found from 41° n to 35° s and 115° w to 168° e. Etymology of this family name: Greek, karcharos, -ou = cutting, sharp and also a kind of shark + Greek, rhinos = nose