Caribbean reef shark
Carcharhinus perezii
The Caribbean reef shark is a species of requiem shark, belonging to the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Brazil, and is the most commonly encountered reef shark in the Caribbean Sea.
28
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_reef_shark
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Elasmobranchii
Order
Carcharhiniformes
Family
Carcharhinidae
Genus
Carcharhinus
Caribbean reef shark belongs to the family Carcharhinidae, order Carcharhiniformes, within the Elasmobranchii class.
Species Profile
The Caribbean reef shark is a species of requiem shark, belonging to the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Brazil, and is the most commonly encountered reef shark in the Caribbean Sea. With a robust, streamlined body typical of the requiem sharks, this species is difficult to tell apart from other large members of its family such as the dusky shark and the silky shark. Distinguishing characteristics include dusky-colored fins without prominent markings, a short free rear tip on the second dorsal fin, and tooth shape and number.
The Caribbean reef shark faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive fishing pressure throughout its range, both as target species and bycatch in commercial and artisanal fisheries. Habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and climate change impacts on coral reef ecosystems further threaten this species, which has extremely limited dispersal ability and slow reproductive rates that make recovery difficult.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Caribbean Reef Shark at North Dry Rocks Reef, Key Largo, Fl. The Caribbean reef shark occurs throughout the tropical western Atlantic Ocean, from North Carolina in the north to Brazil in the south, including Bermuda, the northern Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. However, it is extremely rare north of the Florida Keys. It prefers shallow waters on or around coral reefs, and is commonly found...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Caribbean reef shark faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive fishing pressure throughout its range, both as target species and bycatch in commercial and artisanal fisheries. Habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and climate change impacts on coral reef ecosystems further threaten this species, which has extremely limited dispersal ability and slow reproductive rates that make recovery difficult.
Bycatch in longline and gillnet fisheries
Commercial and artisanal fishing pressure
Coral reef habitat degradation
Climate change impacts on reef ecosystems
Coastal development and pollution
Found in 28 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezii). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/caribbean-reef-shark