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The Winghead Shark (Eusphyra blochii) is a distinctive species of hammerhead shark characterized by its exceptionally broad, wing-like cephalofoil, which is significantly wider than the rest of its body. This unique head structure, along with its relatively small size compared to other hammerheads, makes it easily identifiable. It is a coastal, inshore species found in tropical Indo-West Pacific waters, often inhabiting shallow, turbid environments such as estuaries and bays. Its diet primarily consists of small bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. The species is viviparous, giving birth to live young. Due to its restricted habitat and fishing pressure, it is considered endangered.
Physical Characteristics
- Body shape
- torpedo
- Coloration
- Dorsal surface is grey to grey-brown, often with a bronze sheen; ventral surface is white. Fins may have dusky tips.
- Scale type
- placoid
- Mouth position
- inferior
- Distinctive features
- Extremely broad, hammer-shaped cephalofoil (head) that is much wider than the body, resembling an airfoil or wing., Anterior margin of the cephalofoil is nearly straight or slightly convex., Nostrils are located very close to the midline of the cephalofoil, much closer to each other than to the eyes., Small, serrated, triangular teeth., Relatively small eyes positioned at the ends of the cephalofoil.
- Dorsal fin
- Two dorsal fins. The first dorsal fin is moderately tall and falcate (sickle-shaped), originating over or slightly behind the pectoral fin axil. The second dorsal fin is much smaller, low, and originates over the anal fin.
- Tail fin
- Heterocercal caudal fin; the upper lobe is significantly longer than the lower lobe, with a distinct subterminal notch.
- Pectoral fin
- Moderately large and falcate.
- Distinctive fins
- Pelvic fins are relatively small and triangular. Anal fin is small and similar in size to the second dorsal fin.
Identification Tips
Cephalofoil Width
The most defining feature is its extremely wide cephalofoil, which can be 40-50% of the total body length. This is proportionally wider than any other hammerhead species.
Nostril Placement
The nostrils are located very close to the center of the cephalofoil, much closer to each other than to the eyes at the tips of the 'wings'.
Anterior Cephalofoil Margin
The front edge of the cephalofoil is nearly straight or only slightly convex, lacking the prominent indentations seen in some other hammerhead species.
Size
Generally smaller than most other hammerhead species, typically not exceeding 1.5 meters in length.
Habitat
- Water type
- saltwater
- Depth
- Primarily shallow coastal waters, typically from the surface down to 40 meters (130 feet), but occasionally recorded deeper.
- Environment
- Inhabits continental and insular shelves, often found in turbid, inshore waters such as estuaries, bays, and mangrove areas. Prefers soft substrates like sand and mud.
- Geographic range
- Indo-West Pacific: from the Persian Gulf and India eastward to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and northern Australia (Northern Territory and Queensland).
Aquarium Information
- Care level: expert
- Temperament: aggressive
- Diet: carnivore
- Minimum tank size: Not suitable for home aquaria; requires extremely large public aquarium facilities.
- Temperature: 24-28°C (75-82°F)
- pH level: 8.1-8.4
- Hardness: 10-12 dKH
- Compatibility: Not compatible with most other species due to predatory nature and specialized habitat requirements. Only suitable for species-specific exhibits in very large public aquariums.
- Special requirements: Requires immense tank volume, specialized filtration for high bioload, constant water quality monitoring, and a diet of fresh, whole marine prey. Not recommended for private aquarists.
Wild Information
- Conservation status: endangered
- Seasonality: No distinct seasonal migration patterns are well-documented; present year-round in its range, though local abundance may vary with prey availability and reproductive cycles.
- Market price: Variable, often sold as bycatch or for fins
- Commercial importance: medium
- Taste: Mild, somewhat firm
- Texture: Firm, meaty
- Cooking methods: Grilled, Fried, Steamed, Curried
- Nutritional value: Good source of protein, low in fat. Mercury content can be a concern in larger individuals.
Key Facts
The Widest Headamazing
The Winghead Shark possesses the most proportionally wide cephalofoil (hammer-shaped head) of all hammerhead sharks, which can be up to half its total body length.
Sensory Advantagebehavior
The extremely wide cephalofoil is thought to enhance its sensory capabilities, particularly electroreception (detecting electrical fields of prey) and olfaction (smell), allowing it to scan a wider area for food on the seabed.
Unique Nostril Placementinteresting
Unlike other hammerheads, the nostrils of the Winghead Shark are positioned very close to the midline of its head, rather than near the eyes at the tips of the 'wings'.
Estuarine Specialistbehavior
This species frequently inhabits turbid, shallow coastal waters, including estuaries and mangrove areas, making it more tolerant of lower salinity and murkier conditions than many other shark species.
Safety Information
Handle with care- Safety level: caution
- Venomous: No
- Edibility: edible
- Handling notes: While generally not considered aggressive towards humans, like all sharks, they possess sharp teeth and can inflict serious bites if provoked or handled carelessly. Exercise caution if encountered; avoid direct contact. They are often caught as bycatch in fisheries.
Similar Species
Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
The Scalloped Hammerhead has a less extreme cephalofoil width, and its anterior margin is distinctly scalloped or indented in the middle. Its nostrils are located further from the midline than in E. blochii.
Great Hammerhead
Sphyrna mokarran
The Great Hammerhead is much larger, has a very broad but less proportionally wide cephalofoil than E. blochii, and its anterior margin is nearly straight with a distinct median indentation. Its first dorsal fin is notably taller and more falcate.
Smooth Hammerhead
Sphyrna zygaena
The Smooth Hammerhead has a smoothly arched anterior margin of the cephalofoil without any indentations. Its cephalofoil is not as proportionally wide as that of E. blochii.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Sphyrnidae
- Genus
- Eusphyra
- Species
- blochii
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