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great hammerhead

Scientific name Sphyrna mokarran
Descriptor Rüppell
Year of description 1837
IUCN category CR
Family Carcharhinidae
Genus Sphyrna
Sphyrna mokarran Sphyrna mokarran
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Introduction

Sphyrna mokarran, commonly known as great hammerhead, is a salt water fish.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    300 cm
  • Maximum size
    610 cm
  • Longevity
    37 year
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Pattern
    vertical stripes
  • Average size
    300 cm
  • Maximum size
    610 cm
  • Longevity
    37 year
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Pattern
    vertical stripes

How to recognize the great hammerhead ?

The great hammerhead measures between 300 and 610 cm. This fish is unicolore with a predominantly body. The also has noir vertical stripes.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    living in shoals
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The great hammerhead is a fish living in shoals. This species is carnivorous .

Although the great hammerhead is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovovivipare
  • Migratory species
    Yes

The great hammerhead is a fish ovovivipare.

Life-threatening species

  • Venomous
    No
  • Bite
    Yes

This species can attack if it feels threatened. It is important to be particularly vigilant especially during dives or fishing sessions. In the most serious cases, it can cause death.

Where to find it?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Depth
    0 - 300 m
  • Environment
    Active pelagic

Biotope presentation

The great hammerhead is most often found at a depth between 0m and 300m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

Fishkeeping

Not recommended

We do not recommend keeping this species in an aquarium. It has unpredictable needs which, if not met, generate significant stress, potentially leading to a shorter life expectancy, an interruption of its growth or the development of pathogens.

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

BioObs fishbase EOL ethic ocean UltraMarina

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Adrien Falzon

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Silvia Gomez

Silvia Gomez

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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