Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezii)

Scientific name: Carcharhinus perezii Poey, 1876

The Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezii) is a marine fish of the family Carcharhinidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Florida, USA to southern Brazil, including the northern Gulf of Mexico and the Antilles.

Biology

Found on continental and insular shelves, often near drop-offs on the outer edges of reefs. May rest on the bottom. Usually found in reefs, at less than 30 m deep (Ref 26938). Feed on bony fishes, including bigeyes (Priacanthidae). Viviparous. Size at birth below 73 cm. A dangerous species implicated in an abortive attack on divers in the Caribbean. Meat is prepared dried salted for human consumption, hides for leather, liver for oil, carcasses for fish meal.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Carcharhinus perezii
Family
Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
300
Depth range
1–65 m (3–213 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 65 m, usually 1 - 35 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Florida, USA to southern Brazil, including the northern Gulf of Mexico and the Antilles.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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