Sicklefin lemon shark
Negaprion acutidens
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Sicklefin lemon shark
- Scientific
- Negaprion acutidens
- Dhivehi
- ފަޅު ފެމުނު މިޔަރުFalhu femunu
- Group
- Sharks
- Maximum size
- Up to about 3.8 m (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 3.1 m
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 92 m; also enters brackish water
- IUCN status
- EN · EndangeredEndangered (EN), assessed 2020CITES Appendix II
Description
A large, stocky, yellowish-brown shark with a broad blunt snout and two dorsal fins of nearly equal size. Juveniles live in shallow sandy lagoons, while adults patrol coral reefs and feed on rays, bottom fish and smaller sharks. It can be dangerous if provoked.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name falhu femunu, 'lagoon tiger shark' (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is not particularly common in the Maldives. Sharks are fully protected in the Maldives (since 2010).
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Negaprion-acutidens.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ފަޅު_ފެމުނު_މިޔަރު
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Negaprion_acutidens_sydney2.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Falhu femunu' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ފަޅު ފެމުނު މިޔަރު' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form.