Carcharhinus albimarginatus (Silvertip shark)

(Rüppell, 1837)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >.Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Galeomorphii > Carcharhiniformes > Carcharhinidae

Carcharhinus albimarginatus (Silvertip shark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A large, slim dark grey shark with striking white tips and posterior margins on all fins. 1st dorsal and pectoral fins angular and not expanded, upper teeth triangular, underside white

Size

To about 3 m TL.

Range

East coast, northern Natal and Mozambique; Indian and Pacific Oceans

Habitat

Coastal to offshore, often near reef dropoffs on offshore islands, surface to 800 m.

Biology

Bears 1 to 11 young. Feeds mostly on bony fishes, including lanternfish, flyingfish, tuna, bonito, wahoo, snake-mackerel, wrasses, and sole, but also eagle rays and octopi. Aggressive to other sharks.

Human Impact

 Potentially dangerous, but no attacks can be attributed to it here.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale