Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Triaenodon obesus
- Common name
- Whitetip reef shark
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Genus
- Triaenodon
- Size
- 100–210 cm
- Depth
- 1–330 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, cave
- Behaviours
- solitary, schooling, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Triaenodon obesus reaches 2.1 m. Small reef shark (Carcharhinidae) Indo-Pacific tropical with fusiform gray-beige body with distinctive white tips on first dorsal fin and upper caudal lobe (hence whitetip reef shark). Short rounded head with flattened snout. Lives from 1 to 330 m on coral reefs and drop-offs, from Indo-Pacific to East Pacific (Galápagos, Cocos, Revillagigedo). Nocturnal, rests in groups under overhangs and in caves by day, hunts in packs at night for fish and cephalopods in crevices. Harmless, iconic dive photo subject easily approachable, guaranteed encounters in coral sites.
Photo of Whitetip reef shark
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Whitetip reef shark?
- Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) reaches 100–210 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Whitetip reef shark?
- Whitetip reef shark is found between 1–330 m deep.
- Is the Whitetip reef shark dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Whitetip reef shark?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Whitetip reef shark?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Carcharhinidae
- Carcharhinus melanopterus - Blacktip reef shark
- Carcharhinus perezi - Caribbean reef shark
- Carcharhinus falciformis - Silky shark
- Prionace glauca - Blue shark
- Carcharhinus obscurus - Dusky shark
- Carcharhinus longimanus - Oceanic whitetip shark
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 214557)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2418054)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia