The pigeye shark can be most reliably distinguished from the bull shark by the number of precaudal (before the caudal fin) vertebrae (89–95 in "C. amboinensis" versus 101–123 in "C. leucas"). Externally, it has a greater size difference between its dorsal fins (first-to-second height ratio >3.1:1 versus ≤3.1:1 in "C. leucas") and the notch in its anal fin margin forms an acute angle (versus a right angle in "C. leucas"). This species also usually has fewer tooth rows in the lower jaw (10–12 on each side versus 12–13 in "C. leucas").