Caribbean reef shark – Carcharhinus perezii

Caribbean reef shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Carcharhinus perezii
Size: 300 cm
Depth: 1 - 65 m

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermudas, Bonaire, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent And The Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, USA, Venezuela, Virgin Islands

Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean

The Caribbean Reef Shark, scientifically known as Carcharhinus perezii, is a species of requiem shark found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a solitary and highly predatory shark that plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of its marine environment.

Description & Characteristics

The Caribbean Reef Shark, Carcharhinus perezii, is a medium-sized shark, reaching a maximum length of 300.0 cm. Its body is characterized by a streamlined, torpedo-shaped form, perfectly suited for efficient swimming. The distinctive feature of this shark is its long, pointed snout and a prominent, crescent-shaped pectoral fin. Its coloration is typically grey or brown on the dorsal surface, fading to a lighter white or cream on the ventral surface.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Caribbean Reef Shark, Carcharhinus perezii, inhabits a variety of marine zones, ranging from the shallow subtidal and sublittoral regions to the deeper infralittoral and neritic zones. It is commonly found along the continental shelves and slopes, where it is particularly abundant around coral reefs and rocky outcrops. Their depth range typically falls between 1.0 and 65.0 meters.

Taxonomy

The species Carcharhinus perezii belongs to the Class: Elasmobranchii, Order: Carcharhiniformes, and Family: Carcharhinidae. This family is characterized by sharks with two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and five gill slits.

Distribution and Occurrence

The Caribbean Reef Shark, Carcharhinus perezii, is primarily found in the western Atlantic Ocean. Its range extends from North Carolina, United States, down to Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The species is particularly abundant in the Caribbean region, hence its name, and is a significant inhabitant of the diverse coral reef ecosystems found in this area. This shark’s presence is vital for maintaining the health and balance of these marine environments.

Feeding

The Caribbean Reef Shark, Carcharhinus perezii, is a highly predatory fish, feeding mainly on other fish. Its diet consists primarily of bony fishes, including grunts, snappers, and jacks, as well as smaller sharks and rays. Its predatory nature makes it a key element in regulating the populations of its prey species within its ecosystem.

Associated Species

Image References

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