Finetooth Shark
Carcharhinus isodon
Also known as Eventooth shark, Night shark, Smoothtooth shark
Culinary Profile
Sweet, meaty taste.
Thick, large flakes and moist flesh.
Shark is a low-fat source of protein and is high in selenium and vitamins B6 and B12.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Finetooth sharks are slim and relatively small in size. Their upper body is bluish-gray, blending into a white underside. They have a pointed snout, moderately large eyes, and long gill slits. Their pectoral fins, located on either side of their body, are small and pointed. The primary dorsal fin is small and rounded at the tip.
Biology
Female finetooth sharks grow more slowly than males and ultimately reach a larger size. In the Atlantic, the maximum observed age for males and females is about 22 years. Finetooth shark pups are around 1.5 feet long at birth. Pups are typically born during early summer after a gestation period of about one year. There are approximately 4 pups on average per litter.
Where They Live
Range In U.S. waters, finetooth sharks are mostly found south of North Carolina, including the Gulf of America and Caribbean Sea, with occasional sightings as far north as New York. They are also present off the coast of southern Brazil. Off the East Coast, adults and juveniles follow a seasonal migration, spending the warmer summer months off the Carolinas before migrating south as surface water temperatures fall.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from North Carolina through Texas.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Finetooth Shark ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Protein | 20.98 g | 13 / 111 | 88% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 316 mg | 17 / 104 | 84% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 527 mg | 21 / 104 | 80% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Iron | 0.84 mg | 32 / 111 | 71% |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 IU | 45 / 54 | 17% |
| Phosphorus | 210 mg | 48 / 111 | 57% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.49 µg | 56 / 106 | 47% |
| Zinc | 0.43 mg | 71 / 111 | 36% |
Other Species in Genus Carcharhinus
3 close biological relatives of Finetooth Shark profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Blacktip Shark | Carcharhinus limbatus | 18.51 | 410 | Smart Choice |
| Blacknose Shark | Carcharhinus acronotus | 20.98 | 527 | Smart Choice |
| Sandbar Shark | Carcharhinus plumbeus | 20.98 | 527 | — |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Finetooth Shark.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Finetooth Shark, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in the water column does Finetooth Shark live?
Range In U.S. waters, finetooth sharks are mostly found south of North Carolina, including the Gulf of America and Caribbean Sea, with occasional sightings as far north as New York. They are also present off the coast of southern Brazil. Off the East Coast, adults and juveniles follow a seasonal migration, spending the warmer summer months off the Carolinas before migrating south as surface water…
Is Finetooth Shark a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
Per 100 g raw, Finetooth Shark supplies 316 mg of EPA and 527 mg of DHA — the two long-chain omega-3s most cited in cardiovascular research.
What else is Finetooth Shark called?
Finetooth Shark is also marketed as Eventooth shark, Night shark, Smoothtooth shark.
What is the stock status of Finetooth Shark?
The stock is not overfished.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught finetooth shark is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
Finetooth sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico) are assessed as a single stock. According to a 2007 assessment, the stock is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest finetooth sharks have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries manages finetooth sharks in federal waters under the Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan . Commercial, recreational, and for-hire fishermen must comply with permit requirements, trip limits, gear restrictions, finning prohibitions, closed areas, and reporting requirements to land finetooth sharks.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.