DIVE-SEEK field image · species photo unavailableshark · requiem shark
Whitetip reef shark
Triaenodon obesus
Slender reef shark that rests in caves by day and hunts co-operatively at night.
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Quick facts
The Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) is a marine species divers can encounter. Typical size: 130–160 cm. Usually seen at 8–40 m depth. Where to see it: Malapascua, Cocos Island, Galápagos Islands and Palau.
Summarised from DIVE-SEEK's recorded catalogue data; omitted values are not yet recorded.
Taxonomic rank
species
Typical size
130–160 cm (total_length)
Maximum size
213 cm
Typical depth
8–40 m
Maximum depth
330 m
Conservation status
Research in progress
Photography difficulty
2 /5
Activity pattern
Nocturnal.
Description
One of the few common sharks with a genuinely nocturnal activity pattern. Conservation status not populated pending a verified Red List reading.
Habitat
Coral reefs, ledges and caves.
Behaviour
Rests on sand and in caves during the day; packs hunt reefs at night.
Diet
Reef fish, octopus and crustaceans.
Social behaviour
Loose groups sharing resting sites.
Photography notes
Easy resting subject by day; night hunts need strong focus light and careful strobe placement to avoid backscatter.
Ask about Whitetip reef shark
Answers are built only from our cited catalogue records — where data is missing, the assistant says so instead of guessing.
Where to see it
Destinations
Encounter records link species to destinations only when a verified source supports them.
Malapascua
Philippines
Encounter likelihood: common
Cocos Island
Costa Rica
Encounter likelihood: very_common
Galápagos Islands
Ecuador
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Palau
Palau
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Great Barrier Reef
Australia
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Komodo
Indonesia
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Sipadan
Malaysia
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Aliwal Shoal
South Africa
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Maldives
Maldives
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Dauis
Philippines
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Ef Na
Indonesia
Encounter likelihood: Research in progress
Provenance — each verified claim is linked to its source as records are published.