Basic information about the whitetip reef shark
- Scientific name: Triaenodon obesus
- Common name (English): Whitetip reef shark
- Common name (Malay): Yu sirip putih
Recognisable by the white tips on their dorsal and tail fins, whitetip reef sharks are medium-sized and slender. They use their lithe bodies to slither through caves and crevices in search of food at night – and nap by day.
They're basically the familiar group of friends you always find lazing on a weekend, napping, snacking, and chilling in their favourite hangout spot!
Conservation status of the whitetip reef shark
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened
While whitetip reef sharks are not endangered, their populations are under pressure due to habitat degradation and overfishing.
Whitetip reef shark habitat
These sharks are closely associated with coral reef habitats. They are often found near coral heads, bommies, ledges, sandy flats, lagoons, and reef drop-offs.
In addition, whitetip reef sharks prefer clear waters. They are typically observed at depths ranging from super shallow during early mornings and deeper at other times.
They’re also creatures of habit. Whitetips often return to the same reef real estate for months, even years, sticking within a cosy home range of around 0.3 to 3 km.
Whitetip reef shark diet
Not all sharks are apex predators – and the whitetip reef shark is a perfect example. These sleek reef dwellers prefer a diet of reef fish, crustaceans, and the occasional octopus rather than taking down large prey.
How big are whitetip reef sharks?
I don't think whitetip reef sharks have a trust fund, or blue eyes. (They have large eyes though, for night hunting!) However, they can grow to over 6' 5" long, and they are in FIN-ance!
Maxing out at about 2 metres long, whitetip reef sharks are just a little bigger than the other common shark you'll encounter in coral reefs, the blacktip reef shark.
That said, the sharks you'll usually encounter will mostly be only around 5' long or less. Their relatively small size helps them hunt for prey hiding within tight coral formations.
Whitetip reef shark vs oceanic whitetip shark
Did you know, there are two kinds of sharks with white-tipped fins? Whitetip reef sharks are not the same as oceanic whitetip sharks. In fact, they're pretty much opposites.
Whitetip reef sharks are docile, and hunt small prey in the coral reef at night. Their bodies are small and slender. Oceanic whitetips are bulkier, at least twice as large, aggressive, and hunt pelagic fish and squid in the open ocean.
Luckily, you probably won't see oceanic whitetips in coral reefs, as they prefer the deep water. So the whitetip sharks you'll find in coral reefs will be friend-shaped.
Where can you find whitetip reef sharks in Malaysia?
You’ll find whitetip reef sharks gliding through the warm tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific – from the eastern coast of Africa and the Red Sea, all the way across the Indian Ocean to the central and western Pacific.
In Malaysia, you can find them in both the peninsula and Borneo. Many of these locations are also Marine Parks or National Parks, for instance Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Payar, Pulau Aur, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sipadan, Tun Sakaran Marine Park and Miri-Sibuti National Park in Sarawak.
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Interesting facts about whitetip reef sharks
How should you look for whitetip reef sharks?
If you want to see whitetip reef sharks, keep your torch handy. They love hiding in crevices and caves, often stacked like sleepy sardines. These sharks are more active at night, so in the daytime they're mostly resting quietly. Thanks to an adaptation called buccal pumping, they can lie still for hours, usually in small groups stacked like sleepy logs in caves or under ledges.
Since they don’t need to swim to breathe, they’ll just stay put for hours, giving a scuba diver an unbothered sighting. No need to chase – just cruise slowly, keep your bubbles soft, and you might just be rewarded with the subtle twitch of a fin or that unmistakable white tip gliding into view.
Spending a lot of time underwater? Consider signing up for conservation diving projects!
What should you do if you see a whitetip reef shark?
Whitetip reef sharks are generally shy. They’re not aggressive towards humans and are considered one of the more relaxed shark species – unless provoked. Think of them as introverted reef residents who appreciate their personal space.
The noise from scuba tanks and regulators often startles them, causing them to swim off quickly. This means they’re sometimes easier to spot while snorkelling, especially in quieter areas. When diving, approach slowly and maintain neutral buoyancy to increase your chances of a longer sighting.
- Approach slowly and calmly. Sudden movements or loud exhalations might send them darting off.
- Never touch or try to chase them.
- Avoid cornering them in crevices or caves.
- Don’t use flash photography since it can stress or disorient them.
