The first species of shark to be placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List made its debut at the Aquarium of the Pacific on Wednesday.

The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) was brought to the aquarium under permit from Australia and hasn’t been named yet, but now swims in a 40-foot holding tank for visitors to check out.

A scalloped hammerhead shark is the newest resident of the Aquarium of the Pacific. It was brought to the aquarium under permit from Australia and hasn’t been named yet, but now swims in a 40-foot holding tank for visitors to check out. Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.

“We hope that when people see this charismatic shark at the Aquarium and learn about it, they will be inspired to become stewards of our world ocean,” said Nate Jaros, the aquarium’s curator of fish and invertebrates.

The juvenile, measuring about 3 feet long, is the first scalloped hammerhead the aquarium has ever housed.

The species can grow up to 14 feet long at full maturity, is found in temperate and tropical waters and eats mostly fish and invertebrates. The species’ hammer-shaped head provides a larger surface for the shark’s vision and electroreceptors, while also providing lift as it swims through the ocean, according to the aquarium. They grow quickly when they’re young and can reach 340 pounds.

The public can see the scalloped hammerhead starting Wednesday after 11 a.m. Learn more about the aquarium here.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way.

Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].