Scientific Name
Triaenodon obesus
Common Name
Whitetip reef shark
Biology
Sluggish inhabitant of lagoons and seaward reefs where it is often found resting in caves or under coral ledges during the day , or usually on a sand patch, or in a channel . More active at night or during slack tide in areas of strong currents. Feeds on benthic animals such as fishes, octopi, spiny lobsters and crabs. Viviparous. Travels distances from about 0.3 to 3 km in periods up to about 1 year. Rarely reported to attack humans, but is potentially dangerous especially when fish had been speared. Probably fished wherever it occurs. Caught by inshore longline and gillnet fisheries, and probably adversely affected by dynamite fishing. Meat and liver utilized fresh for human consumption. The liver of this shark has been reported