dusky shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Favoring clear reefs around oceanic islands

Tropical
Oceanic
Globally widespread
Marine fish
Atlantic Ocean
Indian Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Africa
Fusiform
Large
Tropical fish

The Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, found worldwide. It favors clear reef environments around oceanic islands, where it is often the most abundant shark species. A large species that often reaches 3.0 m (9.8 ft), the Galapagos reef shark has a typical fusiform "reef shark" shape and is very difficult to distinguish from the dusky shark (C. obscurus) and the grey reef shark (C. amblyrhynchos).

Class: Sharks and Rays
Order: Ground Sharks
Family: Carcharhinidae
Genus: Carcharhinus
Maximum length: 370 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: Circumtropical with a preference for waters around oceanic islands. Eastern Atlantic: including St. Paul's Rocks (Refs. 13121 , 52289 ). Western Indian Ocean: including Walter's Shoal, south of Madagascar. Western Pacific: including Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs. Eastern Pacific: Galápagos (Ref. 58896 ).
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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