The grey reef shark

grey reef shark

Scientific name	Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Descriptor	Bleeker
Year of description	1856
IUCN category (World)	EN
Family	Carcharhinidae
Genus	Carcharhinus

Introduction

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, commonly known as grey reef shark, is a salt water fish.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Type

shark
Average size

170 cm
Maximum size

255 cm
Longevity

25 year
Shape

Oval

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos - grey reef shark — Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, grey reef shark

Type

shark
Average size

170 cm
Maximum size

255 cm
Longevity

25 year
Shape

Oval

How to recognize the grey reef shark ?

The grey reef shark measures around 170 cm. The females are more imposing and some specimens can reach 255 cm. This fish is tricolore with a predominantly noir, blanc and gris body.

Sexual dimorphism

The female is bigger than the male.

Behaviour & Life cycle

diet

carnivorous
Sociability

living in shoals
territorial

No
Way of living

nocturnal

The grey reef shark hunts in the stalk and is one of the predators of its biotope. Opportunistic, it does not hesitate to attack any smaller animal nearby.

The grey reef shark is a fish living in shoals. The members of each group are organized around a well established hierarchy. This species is carnivorous . This fish lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.

Although the grey reef shark is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

Reproduction

vivipare

The grey reef shark is a fish vivipare.

Risks for humans

Venomous

No
Bite

Yes

This species can attack if it feels threatened. It is important to be particularly vigilant especially during dives or fishing sessions.

Where to find it?

Origin

Bay of Bengal Persian Gulf Great Barrier Reef mer d'Oman East China Sea Philippine Sea Red Sea South East Asian Seas Indonesian seas East Indian Ocean western Indian Ocean Western Tropical Pacific Ocean

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : EN

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Depth

0 - 1000 m
Flow

Strong and Medium

Biotope presentation

The grey reef shark is most often found at a depth between 0m and 1000m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Aurélien Calas

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

Distribution, reproduction and diet of the gray reef shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos in Hawaii - Wetherbee BM - Crow GL - Lowe CG - Marine ecology progress series - 1997.

Aggregation behavior of the grey reef shark, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, at Johnston Atoll, Central Pacific Ocean - Alistair E. Economakis - Phillip S. Lobel - Environmental Biology of Fishes - 1998.