GREY REEF SHARK 

'Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos' 

NAME: Grey Reef Shark
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos

OTHER NAME: Blacktail reef shark, grey whaler shark, longnose blacktail shark.
STATUS: Endangered

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OVERVIEW: Grey reef sharks are strong, active swimmers built for life on the move. Sleek and streamlined, they have a classic shark look with a broad, rounded snout and narrow, serrated teeth. Their dark grey upper body fades to a pale underside, with distinctive black markings on their fins and a black-edged tail. Highly social, they gather in groups during the day before splitting up at night to hunt solo on the reef. In some areas, like the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea, their first dorsal fin has a white edge, leading some scientists to classify them as a separate species, Carcharhinus wheeleri.

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SIZE: At birth: 45-64cm. Mature males: 130-145cm. Mature females: 120-142cm. Max size: 265cm

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RANGE AND HABITAT: Grey reef sharks thrive in clear, tropical waters, often patrolling coral reefs and deep drop-offs. Found from the surface down to 280m, they inhabit coastal and oceanic waters, fringing reefs, atoll passes, and

shallow lagoons with strong currents. They are widespread across the Indo-West and Central Pacific, with a more scattered presence in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

DIET: Grey reef sharks have a diet of small reef fishes, crustaceans, squid and octopus.

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BEHAVIOUR: Grey reef sharks are social creatures, gathering in groups during the day in reef passes and shallow lagoons. Come night, they split up and head down to the reef to hunt solo. Some even make low-pitched sounds, which scientists believe are used for communication during mating or territorial disputes, though they might just be having a chat!

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BIOLOGY:  

- Grey reef sharks are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. They have a yolk-sac placenta and typically bear 1 to 6 pups per litter.
- Gestation: 12-14 months
- Sexual Maturity: 6-11 years.
- Lifespan: 15 to 25 years

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THREATS: Grey reef sharks face pressure from unmanaged fisheries across their range, caught for their meat, fins, liver, and skin. While their fins make up a small portion of the international trade, they are also popular in aquariums, exported from Australia and Indonesia. Closely tied to coral reefs, these sharks are vulnerable to climate change, poor water quality, and destructive fishing methods like blast and cyanide fishing.

The grey reef shark is a key species for dive tourism, which has led to fishing regulations in places like Queensland, Australia. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help conserve coral reef habitats, offering indirect protection to these sharks. In some areas, shark sanctuaries have been established, banning targeted shark fishing to help their populations recover.

FUN FACTS

- Some grey reef sharks make low-pitched sounds, which scientists think help them communicate during mating or territorial disputes, though they might just be having a natter! 

- One grey reef shark, tagged in the Coral Sea, swam a remarkable 250 kilometres to visit the Great Barrier Reef! 

- When threatened, grey reef sharks put on quite the show! They arch their backs, lower their pectoral fins, and even 'wag' their head and tail. If they’re really upset, they’ll swim in spirals and figure-eight loops!

You can view more photo's of this awesome shark below!