Sealife guideThe oceanic whitetip sharkCarcharhinus longimanus
Taxonomy
- Common name: Oceanic whitetip shark
- French name: Requin pointe blanche océanique, requin longimanus, requin pointe blanche du large, requin océanique à aileron blanc, aileron du large, requin longimane
- Scientific name: Carcharhinus longimanus (Poey, 1861)
- Family name: Carcharhinidae
- Order name: Carcharhiniformes
- Class name: Elasmobranchii
Description
The oceanic whitetip shark, also known simply as longimanus, named after its scientific designation, is a pelagic shark averaging about 9 feet in length. Its maximum size can reach 13 feet and it can weigh up to 370 pounds.

The oceanic whitetip shark surrounded by its loyal entourage of pilot fish !
The oceanic whitetip is distinguished by its large, rounded first dorsal fin and its prominent pectoral fins with whitish tips.
Its body is robust, elongated and dark gray with a bronze tint while its belly is white.
Range
The oceanic whitetip shark is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters around the globe. In the eastern Pacific ocean, it can be found from southern California to Peru, including the Galapagos islands.
In Egypt, it is commonly seen in the southern Red sea.
Habitat
The oceanic whitetip shark can be found from the surface down to depths of over 650 feet but typically stays within 490 feet. It is a pelagic shark that generally lives alone in open water escorted by pilot fish.
Diet
Its diet consists mainly of pelagic fish like tuna and jacks, but it also preys on rays, mollusks and sea turtles.
Reproduction
The oceanic whitetip shark is viviparous. After a one-year gestation, up to 15 pups are born, each about 2 feet long. They reach sexual maturity at about 6 feet for males and 6.5 feet for females.
Did you know ?
Often, the oceanic whitetip shark is accompanied by its loyal entourage of pilot fish.
The oldest recorded oceanic whitetip shark was 22 years old.
The oceanic whitetip shark is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The oceanic whitetip shark appears in the IUCN Red List since 2019 within the category Critically Endangered !
Tips for observing
Active both day and night, the oceanic whitetip shark is bold and curious, often approaching divers with persistence. Keep an eye out, stay calm and be cautious if encountered !

An oceanic whitetip shark escorted by pilot fish © Berndneeser | Dreamstime.com
Within the same genus

Blacktip shark
(Carcharhinus limbatus)
(Carcharhinus limbatus)

Bull shark
(Carcharhinus leucas)
(Carcharhinus leucas)

Caribbean reef shark
(Carcharhinus perezi)
(Carcharhinus perezi)

Galapagos shark
(Carcharhinus galapagensis)
(Carcharhinus galapagensis)

Grey reef shark
(Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
(Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)

Silvertip shark
(Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
(Carcharhinus albimarginatus)

Blacktip reef shark
(Carcharhinus melanopterus)
(Carcharhinus melanopterus)

Dusky shark
(Carcharhinus obscurus)
(Carcharhinus obscurus)
Within the same family

Blue shark
(Prionace glauca)
(Prionace glauca)

Lemon shark
(Negaprion brevirostris)
(Negaprion brevirostris)

Whitetip reef shark
(Triaenodon obesus)
(Triaenodon obesus)

Tiger shark
(Galeocerdo cuvier)
(Galeocerdo cuvier)
Explore also

Great white shark
(Carcharodon carcharias)
(Carcharodon carcharias)

Longfin mako
(Isurus paucus)
(Isurus paucus)

Raja epaulette shark
(Hemiscyllium freycineti)
(Hemiscyllium freycineti)

Port Jackson shark
(Heterodontus portusjacksoni)
(Heterodontus portusjacksoni)

Frilled shark
(Chlamydoselachus anguineus)
(Chlamydoselachus anguineus)

Pelagic thresher shark
(Alopias pelagicus)
(Alopias pelagicus)

Ornate wobbegong
(Orectolobus ornatus)
(Orectolobus ornatus)

Spotted wobbegong
(Orectolobus maculatus)
(Orectolobus maculatus)
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