Home › Chondrichthyes › Carcharhinidae › Caribbean Reef Shark (Carcharhinus perezi)
SPECIES PROFILE
Caribbean Reef Shark (Carcharhinus perezi)
Carcharhinus
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Chondrichthyes
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and tropical Atlantic; one of the most common Caribbean reef sharks.
DIET
Carnivore
HABITAT
Tropical coral reef systems from 0–30 m depth; associated with reef edges, walls, and drop-offs throughout the Caribbean.
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Chondrichthyes
ORDER
Carcharhiniformes
FAMILY
Carcharhinidae
GENUS
Carcharhinus
📋 Description
SIZE
Medium shark typically 1.5–2 m; females reach up to 3 m; streamlined reef-associated body.
COLORATION
Grey-brown dorsally with white underparts; first dorsal fin large; pectoral fins moderately long; no prominent markings.
ADAPTATIONS
Countershading camouflage; ampullae of Lorenzini detect electrical fields; nictitating membrane protects eye during feeding.
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Tropical coral reef systems from 0–30 m depth; associated with reef edges, walls, and drop-offs throughout the Caribbean.
DIET
Carnivore
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and tropical Atlantic; one of the most common Caribbean reef sharks.
REPRODUCTION
Viviparous; 4–6 pups born after ~12 month gestation; pups use shallow nursery areas; matures slowly at 7–9 years.
DIET DETAILS
Bony fish, rays, and cephalopods; opportunistic predator patrolling reef edges and ambushing prey in reef gaps.
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Overfishing for fins and meat, coral reef degradation, and targeted removal due to perceived danger to swimmers.
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Jardines de la Reina in Cuba has one of the last pristine Caribbean Reef Shark populations in the region due to strict no-fishing protections.
2
Reef sharks are keystone predators — their removal causes "trophic cascades" that destabilise the entire reef ecosystem.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Jardines de la Reina Marine Protected Area, Cuba — the Caribbean's premier shark dive with 50+ sharks visible on a single dive.
María la Gorda dive resort, Pinar del Río, Cuba — western reef walls with regular Caribbean Reef Shark encounters.
Cayo Coco reef systems, Cuba — Caribbean Reef Sharks patrol the outer reef wall accessible by resort dive operators.
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Book a dive at Jardines de la Reina (requires liveaboard from Jucaro); sharks are conditioned to divers and approach to 1–2 m.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Year-round; calmer dry-season seas (November–April) allow more comfortable dive conditions and clearer visibility.
