Tiger Shark ID
Below you will find a database of tiger sharks identified in the vicinity of Honokohau Harbor.
"Laverne"
Identifying Characterics: This large animal is best ID'ed by a relatively small, cockscomb shaped dorsal fin and a small notch on the trailing edge just above the caudal fork.
"Tony"
Identifying Characteristics: Look for a dorsal fin with a vertical slice that continues down to a scar on the main body. The upper caudal lobe is partially missing as well.
"Rita"
Identifying Characteristics: This shark has seen some action. Look for a large animal with a notch in the trailing edge of the right pec fin, a rounded and triangular first dorsal fin and a caudal fin that is missing the end of its upper caudal lobe.
Photo by Deron Verbeck-Iamaquatic
"Dionne"
Identifying Characteristics: This is a smaller animal with near perfect fins except for a small notch just below the pre-terminal notch on the upper caudal lobe.
Named by: Dionne Miller
"Ralphy"
Identifying Characteristics: The best way to ID this animal is by the unique rounding on the terminal point of the first dorsal fin.
Named by: Charlie Fasano
"Shirley"
Identifying Characteristics: The dorsal fin is characteristically flattened and the trailing edge has some damage visible.
"Seven"
Identifying Characteristics: Look for a relatively small, clean animal with near-perfect fins.
Identifying Characteristics: This is a smaller animal with a large dorsal fin with a uniquely flattened gouge out of the top and a missing terminus to the upper caudal lobe.
Photo by Tom Carey of Ocean Planet Images
"Nine"
Identifying Characteristics: This animal has a uniquely ragged pattern of damage on the trailing edge of the first dorsal fin.
"Mouna"
Identifying Characteristics: "Mouna" is a very small animal with a notch in the terminal end of the first dorsal fin and a scarred lower caudal lobe.
Photo by Deron Verbeck-Iamaquatic
"Lucky"
Identifying Characteristics: Lucky has a notch in the tip of her left pec fin and, when last seen, a hook with monofilament trailing from the left corner of her jaw.
"Thirteen"
Identifying Characteristics: This is by far the youngest shark observed so far. Her fins are still immaculate and her stripes are new and bold.
"Fourteen"
Identifying Characteristics: This animal is the largest shark observed yet with perfect fins. The two scuff marks ahead of her dorsal fin in the photo are superficial.
"Fifteen"
Identifying Characteristics: The dorsal fin is severely damaged and the upper caudal lobe has been mostly amputated.
Photo by Cynthia Hankins
"Flipper"
Identifying Characteristics: The first time I saw this animal, it was very bold and strikingly dark on its dorsal surface. Look for a right pec fin with a large smooth cut out of the trailing edge and a ragged trailing edge on the dorsal fin.
Photo by Sarah Matye
Named for Christian "Flipper" Redman
"Seventeen"
Identifying Characteristics: This is a large female with few distinctive markings aside from some superficial scarring on the leading edge of her dorsal fin.
"Paris"
Identifying Characteristics: The unique ragged pattern of the trailing edge of Eighteen's first dorsal is the easiest way to tell her apart from the others.
Named for Paris Matye
"Nineteen"
Identifying Characteristics: Nineteen has a rounded terminal edge on her upper caudal lobe.
Photo by Cynthia Hankins
"Sugar"
Identifying Characteristics: Sugar has a slight round to the very end of her dorsal fin and a blunt terminal end of her upper caudal lobe.
Named by: Ryan Bradley
"Nancy"
Identifying Characteristics: Nancy is a medium sized animal with a distinctly rounded first dorsal fin.
Photo by: Jeff Molder
Named for Nancy Molder
"Sparky"
Identifying Characteristics: Look for a flat-top first dorsal fin and a hook injury in the left corner of her mouth.
Photo by Sarah Matye
Named by Ryan Bradley
