The Sicklefin lemon shark is a big stocky yellowish shark, their second dorsal fin is about as large as the first. Broad, blunt snout. The dorsal, pectorals, and pelvic fins are falcate.

SIZE

This shark can reach a maximum length of 10.4 feet. The males mature at 7.9 feet.

TEETH

They have narrow, smooth-cusped teeth in both jaws.

COLOR

There overall color is a yellowish to a yellowish-brown.

FEEDING HABITS

This species feeds mostly on bony fishes and stingrays.

BEHAVIOUR

Sicklefin lemon sharks are a sluggish, swimming slowly near or resting on the bottom. May surface when stimulated by food, but shy and reluctant to approach divers. Young sharks are more inquisitive.

HABITAT

Tropical Indo-west and central Pacific. They are found inshore on or near bottom, from a depth range, surface to 98.4 feet. Prefers turbid, still water in bays, estuaries, sandy plateaus, outer reef shelves and reef lagoons. Young sharks found on very shallow reef flats, dorsal fins exposed.

REPRODUCTION

These sharks are viviparous, giving birth to 1 to 13 pups per litter after ten months of a gestation period.

SHARK ATTACKS

Potentially harmful, can be aggressive when provoked.

POPULATION REPORT

Vulnerable, heavily fished outside Australia throughout range. Hardy in captivity. Valuable for dive tourism.