Scientific name:
Carcharhinus perezi Identification:
Short, bluntly rounded snout; low interdorsal ridge; first dorsal fin tip acute; pectoral fins moderately long and narrow; tips of pectoral, pelvic, anal, and lower lobe of caudal fins dusky, upper caudal fin margin dusky. Often misidentified as the bull shark, but more similar to Galapagos and dusky. Size:
Birth around 70 cm (27.6 inches), maximum length 3 m (9.9 ft). Range:
Florida to Brazil; most common large reef shark in the Caribbean. Depth range from the surface to at least 30 m (99 ft). Biology:
Usually observed on the reef face. Feeds on bony fishes and probably also large motile invertebrates. Commonly observed laying on the bottom in caves and under ledges, often in an apparent torpor as if sleeping. A dangerous species that has been responsible for a number of attacks on divers, many in the presence of speared fish. Most common participant in Bahamian "shark feeds," it is usually not aggressive in these situations, but will make close passes.