Sickle-fin Lemon Shark, Negaprion acutidens

Size:
Max. 310cm.  Mature females 240-280cm, mature males 210-240cm.

Appearance:
A medium sized requiem shark with first and second dorsal fins of equal size.  All fins except caudal fin sickle shaped.  Coloration is distinctly yellow, trailing edges of anal and caudal fins often darkening.  Dark blotch on tip of snout.

Distribution:
Widespread throughout the tropical Indian and Central and Western Pacific Oceans.  Depth ranges from intertidal to 30m.

General:
Frequently found in shallow inshore waters.  Prefers bays, estuaries, lagoons and sand flats with still, turbid water.  Generally swims close to the substrate and often seen resting on the seabed in large aggregations.  Juvenile specimens often seen on the tidal flats at high tide seeking refuge from larger predators.

Feeding
Diet consists of mainly bony fishes.  Have also been known to eat crabs, shrimp and octopus.

Reproduction:
Placental viviparous with a yolk-sac placenta.  Gestation period about 10 months with 1-18 pups per litter.

Similar Species:
Easily mistaken for the Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris).  The Lemon Shark does not have the black marking on its snout.