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Whitetip reef shark

Triaenodon obesus
  • Class:
    Cartilaginous fish (Lat. Elasmobranchii)
  • Order:
    Requiem sharks (Lat. Carcharhiniformes)
  • Family:
    Blue shark (Lat. Carcharhinidae)
  • Maximum size::
    213 cm TL
  • Habitat:
    Reef; marine; depth range 1–330 m.
  • Climate:
    Tropical; 29°N–30°S, 33°E–77°W
  • Distribution:
    Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Indonesia and the Arafura Sea, north to Ryukyu and Ogasavara Islands, south to New South Wales (Australia), New Caledonia and the Austral and Pictarian islands; throughout Micronesia. Eastern Pacific: Cocos and Galapagos islands, Panama to Costa Rica.
  • Biology:
    Sluggish inhabitant of lagoons and seaward reefs where it is often found resting in caves or under coral ledges, or usually on a sand patch, or in a channel. More active at night or during slack tide in areas of strong currents. Feeds on benthic animals such as fishes, octopi, spiny lobsters and crabs. Viviparous. Travels distances from about 0.3 to 3 km in periods up to about 1 year. Rarely reported to attack humans, but is potentially dangerous especially when fish had been speared. Probably fished wherever it occurs.
  • Breeding:
    With 1 to 5 young per litter. Size at birth 60 cm TL.