The grey reef shark is a stocky, aggressive predator found on coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific, typically between 5 and 60 metres depth. Growing to about 2.5 metres, it has a blunt snout, dark grey upperside, and a distinctive black-edged dorsal fin. These sharks patrol reef edges in small groups and display a recognisable threat posture—arching their back and dropping their pectoral fins—before attacking. They are classified as endangered due to overfishing.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Elasmobranchii
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Genus
- Carcharhinus
Most likely to be seen at
Sites where its range and habitat make it likely — not yet confirmed by a logged sighting.