Requiem Sharks

Family

The Red Sea requiem sharks are part of the family of the Carcharhinidae. The family features household names like the white-tip reef shark, the Red Sea lemon shark and the ocean white-tip shark. Sharks have a reputation of being dangerous to humans, aggressive and harmful. It isn’t quite fair. Respect a shark and its environment and it this respect will be mutual.

Family Members

Blacktip Reef Shark

Size up to 180 cm (5,9 ft). Depth up to 75m (246 ft)

It has a slender physique, yellowish to brownish with white tinges. It is small in terms of  requiem shark proportions. The timid blacktip reef shark is a lone ranger with remarkably outstanding black tips on its fins. The nocturnal blacktip is comfortable in shallow waters near coral reefs, on reef platforms, near drop-offs and also on sandy bottoms, feasting on fish, crustaceans and molluscs.

Grey Reef Shark

Size up to 255 cm (8,36ft). Depth up to 280m (918 ft)

The singly massive grey reef shark has grey and white tones. It circulates along outer coral reef slopes, hunting small fish and crustaceans. It is a typical nocturnal species, turning aggressive in the presence of food or prey. .

Silvertip Reef Shark

Size up to 300 cm (9,84ft). Depth up to 800m (2624ft)

It’s best not to venture in the territory of the silvertip reef shark, because it is potentially dangerous for humans. This powerful species has dark grey or brownish grey colouration. Tends to going pelagic but is also seen in coastal waters, feeding on fish and the occasional cephalopod or smaller shark.

White-Tip Reef Shark

Size up to over 200 cm (6,5ft). Depth up to 40m (130 ft)

This slender and streamlined reef shark is the most common, nocturnal, shark in the Red Sea, with a greyish-brown body and white tinges. The tips of the fins are white. Shy as it is, it timidly explores outer slopes of coral reefs, either solitary or in small groups, feasting on fish and crustaceans. The ‘white-tip’ is one of the largest members. You will often see her accompanied by zebra-patterned pilot fishes. They tag alongside sharks and have made real big friends, creating one of nature’s most bizarre symbiosis.

So what is it that makes pilot fish welcome and tolerable on the edge of a shark’s food demand without being absorbed?  A pilot fish keep this shark happy by freeing it from harmful skin parasites. It doesn’t stop here. The pilot fish enter a shark’s  mouth to free it from food debris.

Red Sea Lemon/Sicklefin Shark

Size up to over 300 cm (9,8ft). Depth up to 35m (115ft)

This shy and stout species is easily aroused, which calls for common sense. It is yellowish of colour, leaning on brown, and preys on benthic fishes, including rays. Its  favourite hunting grounds are seaward reefs. This lemon shark is active both day and night.

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

Size up to 430 cm (14,1ft). Depth up to 275m (902ft)

This diurnal, pelagic, large, stout and robust shark, tainted grey with brownish to olive green hues, has a peculiar flat and scalloped head with eyes on the sides. Its menu consists of fish, cephalopods, rays and crustaceans. It likes to roam around in solitary mode or in pairs as an adult. The young ones seek company in schools.