IDENTIFICATION
Whitetip reef sharks are small and slender with an extremely short, broad snout, oval eyes and conspicuous white tips on the first dorsal and upper tail fins.

DISTRIBUTION
This is a common tropical Indo-Pacific species that ranges south as far as KwaZulu-Natal. They inhabit lagoons and reefs where they are often seen resting in caves or under ledges during the day. They may remain in the same area for months.

FEEDING
They hunt at night on reefs and feed on bottom-dwelling fish. They may enter holes or crevices to feed on octopus and crustaceans.

REPRODUCTION
They reach maturity at about five years. They have litters of 1 - 5 pups after a five month gestation period.

BEHAVIOUR
These sharks tend to travel or rest in small groups. They are shy, but are occasionally aggressive to man when provoked or when fish have been speared.

GROWTH
This shark grows to 213 cm but is rarely over 160cm. They can live up to 25 years.

FISHERY
This species is of minor importance in small commercial fisheries using gill nets and is caught by anglers.

MANAGEMENT

• Recreational anglers are allowed 10 per person per day.
  
• There is no size limit and no closed season.
  

Their restricted habitat, small litter size and moderately late age at maturity suggest that with increased fishing pressure, this species may quickly become threatened.

Rudy van der Elst and Bruce Mann are acknowledged for the scientific information on which this web page is based.