Grey Reef Shark

ID points

• A broad black margin along the rear edge of the tail fin, very conspicuous
• First dorsal fin has no white tip, the other fin tips slightly dusky
• Often hangs in groups facing the current off the outer reef slope

Basics

Family

Carcharhinidae

Length

150–200 cm

Depth

1-60 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Indo-Pacific tropical coral reefs

Habitat

Outer reef slopes and channels

Diet

Reef fish, cephalopods

Easily confused with

Bull SharkStout body with a short blunt snout that looks cut off flatCaribbean Reef SharkStout body, first dorsal fin starting over the rear edge of the pectoral finsOceanic Whitetip SharkPectoral fins and first dorsal fin very long with rounded tips

Fun fact

The grey reef shark is the most aggressive of the reef sharks. When it feels threatened it performs a distinctive warning display: back arched, pectoral fins dropped and an exaggerated rolling swim from side to side. That display is the signal that an attack is about to come.

More in this family

• Blacktip Reef Shark
• Blue Shark
• Lemon Shark
• Silky Shark
• Tiger Shark
• Whitetip Reef Shark