The Sicklefin Lemon Shark

The sicklefin lemon shark is rather rarer than the managrove-inhabiting lemon shark, commonly found in North America. Unlike its American counterpart, the sicklefin is most commonly found in Australia and East Africa. It inhabits lagoons and estuaries, where it can grow without fear of larger reef sharks like blacktips, silvertips and blacktip reef sharks.

Sicklefin lemon sharks feed on triggerfish, parrotfish and crustaceans, while older individuals have been known to prey on  rays, skates and guitarfish. Remains of sicklefins have been found in the stomachs of silvertip sharks, who are extremely territorial and will fight to the death if another shark enters their area of a reef. Often, they will indulge in a meal of over-curious shark in celebration.

Sicklefins grow up to 3.8 metres long and share the same build as lemon sharks (see above). They also share the same brown and yellow colouration. The main difference is, as the name suggests, the shape of the sicklefin's dorsal fin. It curves back in a sickle-like shape whereas that of the lemon shark does not.

The range of a sicklefin lemon shark.

A sicklefin lemon shark at a reef in the Pacific.

A lemon shark off the shore of Florida. Note the fin shape.

Note the differences between the fin shape of this sicklefin
lemon shark and the lemon shark (above left).