ELASMOPEDIA
Sharks and Rays
of fuvahmulah
learn about different animals found in fuvahmulah waters
in Fuvahmulah
Tiger Shark
Femunu Miyaru - ފެމުނު މިޔަރު
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Maximum Size: Up to 5.5 meters
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Global Distribution: Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, from the surface to depths exceeding 1,000 m. Present in both coastal and oceanic zones, especially around islands and atolls.
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Identification: Distinctive dark vertical stripes along the body (especially in juveniles, fading with age), broad head with a blunt snout, large eyes, and a tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin.
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Diet: Opportunistic apex predator — feeds on fish, sea turtles, rays, birds, squid, and even carrion. Known as the “garbage can of the sea.”
Galeocerdo cuvier
IUCN Status: Near Threatened (NT)
Pelagic Thresher
Nagul Meyre - ނަގުލު މެއިރެ
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Maximum Size: Around 3 meters (half of which is the elongated tail)
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Global Distribution: Pelagic species found in tropical and subtropical oceans, often near continental shelves and islands.
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Identification: Extremely long upper lobe of the tail fin (used to stun prey), small mouth, large eyes, and a sleek metallic-blue body.
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Diet: Feeds primarily on small schooling fish and squid. The only known shark species to be hunting with its tail
Alopias pelagicus
IUCN Status: Endangered (EN)
Silvertip Shark
Nagul Meyre - ނަގުލު މެއިރެ
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Maximum Size: Around 3 meters
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Global Distribution: Occurs in tropical Indo-Pacific waters, from East Africa to French Polynesia, typically near deep reef slopes, drop-offs, and outer atolls.
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Identification: Recognizable by the distinct white tips on all fins, especially striking on the dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins. Body is robust and greyish-bronze above, white below.
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Diet: Preys on reef fish, small sharks, rays, and cephalopods, often hunting near the reef edge.
Carcharhinus albimarginatus
IUCN Status: Vulnerable (VU)
Whale Shark
Fehurihi — ފެހުރިހި
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Maximum Size: Up to 18–20 meters, making it the largest fish in the ocean.
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Global Distribution: Found in all tropical and warm-temperate seas, typically in surface waters between 30°N and 35°S. Known hotspots include the Maldives, Seychelles, Mozambique, the Philippines, and Mexico.
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Identification: Massive, broad-headed shark with a wide, terminal mouth and distinct checkerboard pattern of white spots and stripes across a dark bluish-grey body. Its large, sweeping caudal fin and slow, graceful swimming style make it unmistakable.
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Diet: Filter-feeder, feeds mainly on plankton, small fish, and occasionally squid. It swims slowly near the surface with its mouth open to filter water for food.
Rhincodon typus
IUCN Status: Endangered (EN)
Scalloped HammerheaD
Beedibol Meyre — ބީޑިބޯޅަ މޭރު
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Maximum Size: Around 4.3 meters
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Global Distribution: Found circumtropically in warm-temperate and tropical waters; often forms large schools near seamounts and island slopes.
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Identification: Unique hammer-shaped head (cephalofoil) with a pronounced central indentation (the “scallop”); streamlined body and long pectoral fins.
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Diet: Preys on schooling fish, squid, rays, and occasionally small sharks.
Shpyrna lewini
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered (CR)
Small-tooth Sand Tiger Shark
Nagul Meyre - ނަގުލު މެއިރެ
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Maximum Size: Up to 4.5 meters
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Global Distribution: A rare, deep-water species found in tropical and temperate regions worldwide. Typically inhabits depths between 60 – 800 m along continental slopes, seamounts, and island drop-offs.
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Identification: Stout-bodied shark with a conical snout, small eyes, and long slender teeth visible even when the mouth is closed. Coloration is grey-brown above and pale below, sometimes with faint blotches. The dorsal fins are similar in size, and the tail fin is elongated with a prominent upper lobe, giving it a prehistoric appearance.
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Diet: Predatory on bony fishes, small sharks, and cephalopods, usually hunting near the seabed or mid-water along deep reef slopes.
Odontaspis ferox
Oceanic Manta Ray
En Madi - ފެމުނު މިޔަރު
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Maximum Size: Disc width up to 7 meters; one of the largest rays in the world.
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Global Distribution: Found circum tropically in warm temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters. Often encountered in offshore and open-ocean habitats, but also visits coastal reefs and seamounts for cleaning and feeding.
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Identification: Distinguished by its enormous, triangular pectoral fins, dark dorsal surface with a white underside, and two cephalic fins extending from the head. Oceanic mantas are generally darker than reef mantas, with unique spot patterns on the belly used for individual identification.
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Diet: Filter-feeder, consumes zooplankton, small crustaceans, and occasionally fish eggs, by swimming with open mouths through dense patches of plankton-rich water.
Mobula birostris