Cazón coralero trompacorta (Triaenodon
obesus)
N omb res comu n es: Cazón coralero rompacorta (Español)
Si n ón i mos: Carcharias obesus
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Biology 1
Despite its docile nature during the day this nocturnal shark can become aggressive when hunting at
night, thrashing through coral reefs looking for potential prey. The whitetip reef shark usually hunts
alone, but is non-territorial and will occasionally work in cooperation with others in the pursuit of prey
(3). Feeding primarily on bottom-dwelling octopus, lobsters, crabs and bony fish, it often chases its prey
into a crevice before jamming its body in after it, sealing the exit (4). The extremely posterior location of
the first dorsal fin compared to those of other sharks is an adaptation to this feeding habit, which
allows them to get their heads and mouths much further into the gaps and holes in the coral (5). The
whitetip reef shark's mating season varies with location (4). Reproduction is viviparous and after a
gestation period of around a year (5) the female will give birth to one to five live pups, which are
completely independent at birth (3). Both sexes reach sexual maturity at approximately 5 years old, and
it is estimated that this species can live to an age of 25 years (2).
2
Description 2
Common names: shark (English), tiburón (Espanol), puntiblanco (Espanol)
Triaenodon obesus (Rüppell, 1837)
Whitetip reef shark
Body fairly slender; head broad, blunt and flattened, wedge shaped when viewed from above; eyes
small; usually no spiracles; front flaps on nostrils tubular; top and bottom front teeth with one large,
triangular, slightly oblique point and a small point on base at each side of that; five gill slits, last 1-2
over pectoral; first dorsal origin nearer pelvics than pectoral; second dorsal large, but smaller than first,
origin ~ over origin of equal-sized anal; no ridge between dorsals; pectoral large, triangular; pit on top
of base of tail; tail strongly asymmetric, large lower lobe, upper lobe notched under point.
Brownish grey, shading to whitish with a yellow cast ventrally, usually with a few scattered roundish
dark grey spots on body (more on bottom half than top); tips of first dorsal fin and upper caudal lobe
broadly white; tips of second dorsal fin and lower lobe of caudal fin also often white.
Maximum size 213 cm.
Spends most of the day at rest on the bottom in caves or beneath ledges; a seemingly curious shark
that often approaches divers at close range.
Depth: 2-300 m.
Indo-Pacific; the mouth of the Gulf of California to Colombia; all the oceanic islands except Clipperton.
Depth 2
Depth Range (m): 2 (S) - 300 (S)
Size 2
Length max (cm): 213.0 (S)
Max. size 3
213 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 244)); max. published weight: 18.3 kg (Ref. 4699); max. reported age: 25
years (Ref. 6807)
Description 4,5
Sluggish inhabitant of lagoons and seaward reefs. Also found in caves and fissures. Feeds on fishes,
octopuses, spiny lobsters and crabs. Not territorial. Travels distances from about 0.3 to 3 km in periods
up to about 1 year. Viviparous, with 1 to 5 young per littter. Born at about 45 cm (Ref. 5485). Rarely
reported to attack humans, but is potentially dangerous especially when fish had been speared. Used
for human consumption. The liver of this shark has been reported as toxic (Ref. 583).
I dnature guides 6
Identification key for shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific
Habitat 2
Salinity: Marine, Marine Only
Inshore/Offshore: Inshore, Inshore Only
Water Column Position: Near Bottom, Bottom, Bottom + water column
Habitat: Reef (rock &/or coral), Reef only, Rocks, Corals, Reef associated (reef + edges-water column &
soft bottom)
FishBase Habitat: Reef Associated
Feeding 2
Feeding Group: Carnivore
Diet: mobile benthic crustacea (shrimps/crabs), octopus/squid/cuttlefish, bony fishes
Associations 7,8
The whitetip reef shark uses the coral reefs as a habitat, as well as a source for food. They are
important predators in reef ecosystems. The sharks’ predation of fishes may serve as a sort of
population control. This is particularly important in those fishes, such as the parrotfish, that consume
the coral.
However the whitetip reef shark does occasionally have a negative effect on the coral. These sharks
sometimes damage corals in their aggressive pursuit of prey fish.
The whitetip reef shark also serves as host to small cleaner fish such as gobies or striped cleaner
wrasses who feed on the parasites infesting the shark.
M u tu al i st Sp eci es:
cleaner fish
Behaviour 7,8
As with most sharks the main form of perception is visual. Sharks in general tend to have good eyesight
especially in dim light. The eyes are large and oval in shape. The large eyes are particularly useful to
the whitetip because it is a nocturnal animal that does most of its hunting and traveling at night.
Like other sharks, they have very strong chemosensory systems as well. This is most useful to the
whitetip reef sharks in hunting and eating.
Whitetip reef sharks respond to sounds in the water. They are believed to be attracted to the sounds of
spearfishing in the water.
Like other sharks, this species also has electroreceptive abilities to help them detect prey.
Very little is known about the communication of these sharks with each other. It is known that they do
share caves, and occasionally hunt together, however the way in which they communicate isn’t fully
understood. One case in which the communication is obvious is in mating where there is a clear tactile
communication in the act of the male biting the fins of the female.
Commu n i cati on Ch an n el s: visual ; tactile ; chemical
Percep ti on Ch an n el s: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical ; electric
Life cycle 7,8
The embryos are maintained in the mother for 5 months. They are then born alive and fully functional.
The new-born juveniles are a mini-version of an adult whitetip reef shark, capable of surviving on their
own. They grow relatively slowly however, and reach sexual maturity five years later.
Life expectancy 7,8
The whitetip reef shark is believed to live to a maximum of 25 years.
R an ge l i fesp an
Statu s: wi l d : 25 (high) years.
Average l i fesp an
Statu s: cap ti vi ty : 25 years.
Reproduction 2
Egg Type: Live birth, No pelagic larva, No pelagic phase
Statistics of barcoding coverage: triaenodon obesus 9
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 5
Specimens with Barcodes: 13
Species With Barcodes: 1
Conservation status 2
IUCN Red List: Listed, Near threatened
CITES: Not listed
3
Threats 3
Near Threatened (NT)
Conservation 1
The whitetip reef shark is widespread and relatively abundant and there is no legislation against
fishing this animal (3). The whitetip reef shark project of Hawaii is currently researching this shark's life
history, movement patterns and habitat utilisation in the hope that this will help in the future
management of populations (7). The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)
have been working for years on an International Plan of Action for the conservation and management of
sharks throughout the world (IPOA-SHARKS) (8). However, the vast size of the oceans where the whitetip
reef shark resides and the difficulty of law enforcement in many areas make the task of managing the
conservation of this beautiful shark extremely difficult (9).
Uses 7,8
The whitetip reef shark is only a problem to humans if provoked. They are considered to be a passive,
calm animal that is easily approachable by divers. A whitetip reef shark will also attack in defense if
escape is not an option. Altercations with spear fisherman can occur; most commonly in dispute over
possession of the speared fish. It is thought that the sound of spear fishing arouses the shark, and
therefore results in their abandonment of the cave and eventual pursuit of the speared fish.
Although the flesh of these sharks is sometimes eaten for food, there are reports that the tissues,
particularly the liver, may be toxic.
N egati ve Imp acts: injures humans (bites or stings, poisonous )
References
1. © Wildscreen, some rights reserved
2. © Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep, some
rights reserved
3. © FishBase, some rights reserved
4. Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2014). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. Froese, R.
& D. Pauly (Editors). (2014). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
5. © WoRMS for SMEBD, some rights reserved
6. © Discover Life and original sources, some rights reserved
7. Feldkamp, A. 2005. "Triaenodon obesus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013
at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Triaenodon_obesus.html
8. © The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved
9. © Barcode of Life Data Systems, some rights reserved