English Name: Whitetip Reef Shark
Local Name: Olhufathi Miyaru
Size: Common to 1.6 m; max. 2.1 m
Family: CARCHARHINIDAE
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Distinctive Characters: Body relatively slender. Snout broad and short – shorter than width of mouth. Three pointed teeth. Base of first dorsal fin closer to pelvics than pectorals. Second dorsal fin large, its height over half that of first dorsal fin.
Colour: Greyish brown above, pale below. White tips to first dorsal and upper caudal lobe.
Habitat and Biology: Occurs in coastal clear waters, usually in and around coral reefs at depths down to at least 330 m. Feeds on wide variety of reef fishes, but also cephalopods and large crustaceans. Viviparous, with 1 to 5 young per litter (commonly 2 or 3).
Distribution: Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific.
Remarks: Triaenodon obesus is one of the most common of Maldivian sharks. It is commonly seen by divers, often resting on bottom. Most active at night. Previously recorded under the family Hemigaleidae. Seven individuals are taken by R.V. ‘Farumas’ in North Male’ Atoll.