Silky Shark

Carcharhinus falciformis

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Elasmobranchii
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Carcharhinidae
Genus: Carcharhinus
Species: Carcharhinus falciformis

The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is a slender, streamlined shark with a metallic grey-bronze back and unusually smooth skin made of tiny, tightly packed scales. Its first dorsal fin is relatively small and set behind the pectoral fins, and it reaches around 2.5 to 3 m.

It is one of the most abundant oceanic sharks, often gathering around floating objects, tuna schools and fish aggregating devices. It feeds on tuna, mackerel, squid and other pelagic prey, and is heavily affected by bycatch; it is listed as Vulnerable.

In the Philippines silky sharks are found in offshore waters and occasionally visit outer reef walls and seamounts. Divers may encounter them on offshore pinnacles and in open water near drop-offs.

Photo: Rui Ribeiro, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist