Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Carcharhinus longimanus
- Common name
- Oceanic whitetip shark
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Genus
- Carcharhinus
- Size
- 200–400 cm
- Depth
- 0–230 m
- IUCN status
- Critically endangered (CR)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- solitary, fast-moving
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean
Description
Carcharhinus longimanus reaches 4 m and 170 kg. Oceanic pelagic shark with stocky gray-bronze body with very long characteristic rounded pectoral fins (hence longimanus), distinctive white tips on first dorsal, upper caudal and pectorals. Lives from 0 to 230 m in oceanic open water far from coasts in all tropical oceans. Listed CR by IUCN (critically endangered) following massive overfishing. Populations collapsed by over 99% in some regions. Mythical encounters often accompanied by pilot fish and remoras (Red Sea South: Daedalus, Brothers, Elphinstone).
Photo of Oceanic whitetip shark
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Oceanic whitetip shark?
- Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) reaches 200–400 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Oceanic whitetip shark?
- Oceanic whitetip shark is found between 0–230 m deep.
- Is the Oceanic whitetip shark dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Oceanic whitetip shark?
- IUCN status: Critically endangered (CR).
- Where can you find the Oceanic whitetip shark?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Carcharhinus
- Carcharhinus melanopterus - Blacktip reef shark
- Carcharhinus perezi - Caribbean reef shark
- Carcharhinus falciformis - Silky shark
- Carcharhinus obscurus - Dusky shark
- Carcharhinus galapagensis - Galapagos shark
- Carcharhinus leucas - Bull Shark
Other species in the family Carcharhinidae
- Prionace glauca - Blue shark
- Triaenodon obesus - Whitetip reef shark
- Negaprion brevirostris - Lemon shark
- Negaprion acutidens - Sicklefin lemon shark
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105794)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2418052)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia