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Sharks
Male Claspers |
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HAWAII
Family Carcharhinidae
Requiem Sharks
Carcharhinus galapagensis
GALAPAGOS
SHARK MANO
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Especially common around subtropical islands. Lacks distinctive
markings except for a ridge of skin from the dorsal fin to the
tail. Reaches 12 feet and may be
aggressive.
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Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Maui Ocean Center |
French Frigate Shoals, NWHI |
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GRAY REEF SHARK Mano
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Common in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific including Hawaii.
Trailing edge of the tail is black. No interdorsal ridge.
Reaches 6 feet. A aggressive territorial species that displays a
threat posture before attacking.
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Carcharhinus falciformis
Sea Life Park, Oahu |
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SILKY SHARK
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A slender species with a short blunt dorsal fin and
smooth silky skin. Attains 11 feet. Worldwide in warm seas,
it is pelagic in Hawaii. |
Carcharhinus plumbeus
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Haleiwa, Oahu |
Maui Ocean Center
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Lanai Lookout, Oahu, 35 feet |
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SANDBAR SHARK Mano
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Inhabits deeper coastal waters. Back is arched, dorsal fin is
tall and placed far forward. Attains 8 feet. Worldwide in
warm seas along continental coasts, New Caledonia, & Hawaii.
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Carcharhinus melanopterus
Sea Life Park, Hawaii |
Moku O Loe, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu |
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BLACKTIP REEF
SHARK MANO PAELE
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Common on shallow reefs to 100 feet. A shy
species rarely seen by divers. Attains 6 feet. Indo-Pacific.
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Carcharhinus longimanus
Kona, Hawaii |
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OCEANIC WHITETIP SHARK
| Found in the open ocean, often in the company of marine
mammals. A dangerous species. Up to 11.5 feet.
Worldwide in warm seas. |
Galeocerdo cuvier
Sea Life Park, Hawaii
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Haleiwa, Oahu
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Eating Albatross Chick, Midway Atoll
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TIGER
SHARK MANO
Itachizame
| Common in warm & temperate seas worldwide. A dangerous
species that feeds upon sea turtle, birds, sharks, carrion, and
garbage. Ventures into shallow water at night. Attains at
least 24 feet. |
Triaenodon obesus
Tug Pier, Midway Harbor, 15 feet
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Molokini Crater, 60 feet |
100-foot Hole, Waikiki, Oahu, 85 feet |
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WHITETIP REEF
SHARK MANO LALAKEA
Nemuribuka
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The most likely shark to be seen by divers in
Hawaii. During the day it rests on the bottom under ledges, piers,
in caverns, and shipwrecks. Feeds upon reef fishes at night.
Attains at least 6 feet. Indo-Pacific & the Tropical Eastern
Pacific. |
Prionace glauca
San Diego, California, Jerry Kane |
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BLUE SHARK
| A pelagic species found in warm & temperate waters
worldwide. Attains 12 feet. |
Family Lamnidae
Mackerel Sharks
Isurus spp.
MAKO SHARK
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Inhabits open water and feeds upon large
fishes. Attains 14 feet. Worldwide in warm & temperate
seas. Sold in markets as bycatch. Also a popular game fish. |
Family Sphyrnidae
Hammerhead Sharks
Sphyrna
lewini
Sea Life Park, Hawaii |
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SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD SHARK
Mano Kihikihi
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Common but rarely seen by divers. Females give
birth to young in bays & harbors. Feeds upon fishes &
invertebrates over sandy bottom. Attains 13 feet. Worldwide
in warm & temperate seas. |
Family Alopiidae
Thresher Sharks
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Thresher sharks have the upper lobe of the caudal fin
as long as the body. It is used to help encircle and stun small
fish & squid while feeding. Typically found in the open ocean,
often caught by tuna & swordfish longline boats and sold as bycatch. |
Alopias pelagicus
PELAGIC THRESHER SHARK
| Inhabits shallow depths of the open ocean. Blue-black with a
white belly. Attains 11 feet. Found in warm waters
worldwide. |
Family Rhincodontidae
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
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Okinawa Aquarium
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Ewa Pinnacles, Oahu
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Kailua-Kona, Hawaii |
Ewa Pinnacles, Oahu |
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
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Kailua-Kona, Hawaii |
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WHALE SHARK
| The world's largest fish, Whale sharks feed upon zooplankton &
small fish filtered from mouthfuls of seawater. Attains 45
feet. Worldwide in warm seas. |
Family Dalatiidae
Isistius brasiliensis
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
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Tuna belly bitten by Cookie-cutter |
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COOKIE-CUTTER SHARK
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Common in warm seas worldwide. Inhabits deep
water during the day and migrates toward the surface at night to
feed. Teeth are arranged to create a circular cutting edge that
removes ice-cream scoop-like plugs of flesh about 2 inches across from
large animals. Body is spindle-shaped, black, with small fins and
large luminous eyes. Attains 18 inches. |
INDO-PACIFIC
Family Ginglymostomatidae
Nebrius ferrugineus
Mamanuca Islands, Fiji, 30 feet
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Okinawa Aquarium
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TAWNY NURSE SHARK
| Rests on sandy bottom near ledges during the day in groups.
Feeds at night upon crustaceans and small fish. Up to 10 feet
long. Docile but may bite if touched. Indo-Pacific except
Hawaii. |
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