(Image credit: Karen Honeycutt)

The Silvertip Shark is a medium-sized whaler shark, similar in appearance to C. longimanus (Oceanic Whitetip Shark) but with a smaller, more triangular first dorsal fin. Further, the Silvertip Shark differs from Triaenodon obesus (Whitetip Reef Shark) by the more extensive white tips of the lower tail fin, a more powerful body and smaller second dorsal and anal fins. This shark can be aggressive and is considered dangerous to humans.

Length: to 300cm.

Habitat

Oceanic reef drop offs and continental shelf waters. Found around offshore islands and coral reefs; depth 1-800m.

Log it

Log it south of K'gari/Stradbroke Island in QLD

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Redmap species descriptions were based, with permission, on the following resources:

Stuart-Smith et al. 2015; Reef Life Survey; Espinoza et al. 2016; Fishes of Australia; Australian Faunal Directory.

http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2878; http://reeflifesurvey.com/species/carcharhinus-albimarginatus; http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/161526/0