Carcharhinus albimarginatus (Rüppell, 1837)
Silvertip shark
Carcharhinus albimarginatus
photo by Honeycutt, K.

Family:  Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks)
Max. size:  300 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 162 kg
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 800 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa, including Madagascar, Seychelles, Aldabra Group, Mauritius and the Chagos Archipelago east to Tuamotu Is., north to Japan and south to Australia (Ref. 244). Not confirmed in west Atlantic (Ref. 58085).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. First dorsal fin and pectoral fins angular, and not expanded; upper teeth triangular; interdorsal ridge present (Ref. 1602, 5578). Dark grey or grey-brown above, white below; all fins with conspicuous white tips and posterior margins (Ref. 9997).
Biology:  An inshore and offshore shark found over or adjacent to continental and insular shelves and offshore banks (Ref. 244). Prefers offshore islands, coral reefs and banks (Ref. 244). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on benthic and midwater fishes (including scombrids), also rays, cephalopods (Ref. 244, 1602), and small sharks and crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Viviparous (Ref. 50449). Up to 11 young, size 50 to 60 cm, are born after a gestation period of 12 months (Ref. 1602, 37816). Potentially dangerous (Ref. 9997). Presumably taken by fisheries in areas where it occurs (Ref. 9997). Caught irregularly by shark and tuna longline and tuna gillnet fisheries. Utilized for its fins (high value in adults), meat, skin and cartilage (Ref.58048). Probably utilized fresh and dried-salted for human consumption (Ref. 9997).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 17 February 2015 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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