Shark - Lemon
name: Shark - Lemon
other names: N/A
Lemons are a yellowish Brown above to a very pale yellow (almost white) below with a blunt snout. This shark has 2 almost identical dorsal fins. Like other sharks, lemon sharks have no bones in their bodies. Instead, their skeletons are made from cartilage, the same tough but flexible material that forms the tip of your nose.
The lemon shark is commonly found in subtropical shallow water to depths of 300 feet and inhabits coral reefs, mangroves, enclosed bays, sounds and river mouths. However, this species will not penetrate deep into freshwater systems. Lemon sharks can be found in oceanic water during migration but tend to stay along the continental and insular shelves. The lemon shark is also known to form loose aggregations based on size and sex and have been seen congregating near docks and fishing piers during the night, returning to deep water during the day.
The lemon shark is commonly found over sandy or muddy bottoms and eats a diet consisting mainly of bony fish and crustaceans. Catfish, mullet, jacks, croakers, porcupine fish, cowfish, guitarfish, stingrays, eagle rays, crabs and crayfish make up the majority of their diet. In addition, this species will eat sea birds and smaller sharks. Lemon sharks will eat until full with the rate of digestion is dependent on the amount of food consumed at a single time.
Litters consist of over 30 and almost 18 inches in length at birth.
Lemon sharks are one of the larger species of sharks, commonly obtaining lengths of 240 to 300 cm and have a growth rate of 54 cm pr year. The maximum length that can be reached by this species is between 318-343 cm. Females and males reach sexual maturity around 6-7 years of age and at 240 cm and 224 cm respectively. Pups are 60-65 cm at birth.
You can fish for lemons sharks with Flies and Lures cast right in front of them. These sharks are very strong and will give an awesome fight. They will also take live and dead baits intended for other fish.
