CARCHARHINIDAE Reef sharks and requiem sharks

Elongate, streamlined body, head compressed. First dorsal prominent and in front of pelvic fins. Lower caudal lobe extended. All sharks have a number of rows of distinctive, serrated teeth. These are an important means of species identification. Tropical to temperate seas throughout the world and the largest family of sharks represented in the Arabian Gulf and UAE waters. Large powerful predators, some of which are considered potentially dangerous. There are at least ten different species of sharks in the Arabian Gulf. Tiger sharks, which are considered dangerous, rarely come close enough inshore to come into contact with swimmers. Isolated shark attacks have been recorded in the days of the pearl divers, but they considered barracuda to be more dangerous. Carcharhinus melanopterus, blacktip reef shark; Carcharhinus plumbeus , whaler shark; Carcharhinus brevipinna , spinner shark; Carcharhinus limbatus , blacktip shark; Galeocerdo cuvier , tiger shark; Hypogaleus hyugaensis , blacktip houndshark.
Status to be confirmed
Carcharhinus sorrah , spottail shark; Negaprion acutidens sicklefin lemon shark; Isurus oxyrinchus, shortfin mako which is not recorded from the Arabian Gulf, but one confirmed hook-up off Fujairah on the east coast.

Blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus

Black tip to second dorsal and lower caudal lobe anal and pectoral fins colour varies. Young less than 70 cm have unmarked fins. Inshore reefs, offshore structures. Opportunist predator, scavenger. Small, blacktip reef shark are found on coral reefs and around rocky headlands and islands. 200 cm.

Whitecheek shark Carcharhinus dussumieri

Small, sleek streamlined shark, pointed snout. Distinctive black blotch on second dorsal fin, first unmarked. Abundant in coastal waters and regularly in shrimp trawls. 125 cm.

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus

High dorsal fin, deep body, blunt snout, dark colouration. Potentially dangerous. Around wrecks and other structures, also oceanic. Opportunist predator on fish and cuttlefish. 220 cm.

Spinner shark Carcharhinus brevipinna

Black tip to second dorsal and lower caudal lobe anal and pectoral fins colour varies Young less than 70 cm unmarked fins. Inshore reefs and around offshore structures. Opportunist predator and scavenger. 280 cm.

Blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus

Black tip to dorsal, caudal lobes colour varies. Status unconfirmed. Inshore reefs, offshore structures. Opportunist predator, scavenger. 150 cm.

Black-tipped shark Carcharhinus sealei

Black tip to dorsal, caudal lobes colour varies. Inshore reefs and around offshore structures. Opportunist predator and scavenger. 95 cm.

Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvieri

Juveniles strongly marked dark vertical bars which fade in adults; very blunt snout, mid-lateral keel on caudal peduncle. Potentially dangerous. Offshore, occasionally inshore, around structures, uncommon. Opportunist predator, will feed on other smaller sharks, sea turtles and reputedly also dolphins. Immature specimen 80 cm recorded off Jebel Ali caught on rod and line. Female specimen caught in non-UAE Gulf waters was 4m in length. 550 cm.

Grey reef shark Hypogalius balfouri

Overall greyish, darker dorsally; small spiracle behind eye. Found on offshore reefs and also wrecks and other structures; less frequently inshore reefs. Opportunistic predator and scavenger, mainly feeding on fish, crustaceans, cuttlefish. 200 cm.