Negaprion acutidens

Dorsal surfaces uniform pale yellow to light brown or greyish. Fins without distinct markings, but may be black-edged. Ventral surfaces whitish.

Maximum size up to 310 cm TL; birth size 50–70 cm TL.

Found throughout the Indian and central Pacific in tropical waters.

Mostly found in bays, estuaries, mangrove stands, shallow sand and reef flats, and lagoons. Prefers turbid, still water. Found from the intertidal zone to depths of at least 90 meters depth.

Feeds primarily on bony fish and rays, but also crustacean and cephalopods. A relatively slow-swimming species that is shy and rarely approaches people; juveniles can be inquisitive. Movement studies have shown that juveniles have very restricted movements. Adults more active at night; juveniles often found in the intertidal zone during the day. Length at maturity is ~220 cm TL for both sexes. Reproductive mode is viviparous with yolk-sac placenta. Females give birth to 1–14 (average 9) pups after a gestation period of 10–11 months, breeding every second year. Maximum age reported as at least 9 and 7 years for females and males respectively.

Rarely observed in Indonesian fish landings in recent times due to the very high level of exploitation of inshore waters and the slow growth rate of this species.

FishBase
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species^TM