Species page
Lemon Shark
Yellow-green coastal shark known for high nursery fidelity.
Negaprion brevirostris
Near Threatened
Overview
This shark belongs to the requiem shark family, a diverse group that includes many familiar coastal and reef species. Use the entry as a cautious base note: sleek shape, active swimming, and live-bearing reproduction are common family themes. Typical requiem sharks are streamlined, with two dorsal fins, an anal fin, five gill slits, and a distinct nictitating lower eyelid. Color is often gray to bronze above with a pale underside. Requiem sharks occupy tropical and warm-temperate seas worldwide, from coastal estuaries and reefs to outer shelves and open ocean. Individual species may be strongly coastal, strongly pelagic, or somewhere in between.
This family uses an unusually wide span of habitats, including surf zones, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass flats, shelf edges, and oceanic waters.
A key indicator species in many estuary-focused shark studies.
Why it matters: Many requiem sharks depend on shallow nursery grounds where pups spend their early months away from larger predators.
Scientific nameNegaprion brevirostris
FamilyCarcharhinidae
OrderCarcharhiniformes
Max length3.4 m
Depth range0 to 150 meters
ConservationNear Threatened
RegionNorth Atlantic and Caribbean
DietBony fish, rays, octopus, crustaceans
HabitatShallow bays, lagoons, estuaries
Why it stands outStrong use of nursery grounds near coastlines
What this shark is
Typical requiem sharks are streamlined, with two dorsal fins, an anal fin, five gill slits, and a distinct nictitating lower eyelid. Color is often gray to bronze above with a pale underside.
Where it lives
Requiem sharks occupy tropical and warm-temperate seas worldwide, from coastal estuaries and reefs to outer shelves and open ocean. Individual species may be strongly coastal, strongly pelagic, or somewhere in between.
This family uses an unusually wide span of habitats, including surf zones, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass flats, shelf edges, and oceanic waters.
How it differs from similar sharks
Strong use of nursery grounds near coastlines
Compare it against Sicklefin lemon shark, Blacknose Shark, and Blacktip Shark.
Why it is notable
Some of the best-known large sharks in tropical waters belong to this family, so human encounters do occur. Even so, fishery pressure, bycatch, and habitat loss usually matter more than direct conflict.
Related shark pages
These links are meant to help readers continue through related species, not force extra clicks.
Sicklefin lemon shark
This shark belongs to the requiem shark family, a diverse group that includes many familiar coastal and reef species. Use the entry as a cautious base note: sleek shape, active swimming, and live-bearing reproduction are common family themes.
3.8 m max
Blacknose Shark
Small coastal shark with a raised dorsal 'blacknose' profile.
2.0 m maxEndangered
Blacktip Shark
Fast, agile coastal shark with black-tipped fins.
2.9 m maxNear Threatened
Bonnethead
Small hammerhead with a rounded head and quick turns.
1.7 m maxLeast Concern