Sharks

A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims in the shallow water of the Maldives over a coral reef. Viewed from above, the white spot pattern on the dark back is particularly well visible.
An oceanic whitetip shark swims elegantly through the blue water, accompanied by a group of black-and-white striped sergeant major fish. The scene shows a typical escort fish situation in open water above the reef.
A majestic whale shark glides elegantly through the blue water while a diver in the background documents this impressive encounter. The characteristic white spot pattern on the dark skin of the world's largest fish is clearly visible.
A grey reef shark swims elegantly through deep blue open water. The slender shark displays its characteristic bluish-grey colouring and typical long pectoral fins as it glides majestically through the blue water.
A nurse shark rests on the reef floor while a diver in the background illuminates the scene with a torch. The powerful body and the characteristic rounded snout of this harmless shark are clearly visible.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) glides over a shallow coral reef in the Maldives. The wide-angle shot from above shows the enormous wingspan of the pectoral fins and the turquoise water.
Two nurse sharks (Nebrius ferrugineus) swim over the sandy floor at dusk. The upper shark is seen frontally from below, the lower one from the side. The broad heads and barbels are clearly recognisable.
A grey reef shark glides elegantly through deep blue water, surrounded by smaller reef fish. The shark displays its characteristic slender form with clearly visible gill slits, while further fish swim in the blue water in the background.
A grey reef shark swims elegantly above a colourful coral reef, while a diver in the background observes the scene. The shark displays its characteristic streamlined shape and typical grey colouration with black-tipped fins.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims just below the water surface in the shallow water of the Maldives. The reflection on the surface and the sunbeams create a vivid atmosphere.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims in the crystal-clear shallow water of the Maldives directly below the surface. The unique pattern of white spots and lines on the dark body is spectacular.
A grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) swims frontally towards the camera. A school of fish and another shark are visible in the background. The powerful body shape and round eye are clearly visible.
Two grey reef sharks swim elegantly through the blue water above a coral reef. The slender predators display their typical streamlined body shape and move calmly through their natural habitat.
A nurse shark swims closely along the sandy floor. The characteristic barbels at the mouth and the remoras on its body are clearly visible, with scattered corals in the background.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims majestically below the water surface over a coral reef in the Maldives. The white spot pattern on the dark body glitters in the sunlight.
Two nurse sharks on the sandy floor; a small yellow pilotfish accompanies the front shark at its pectoral fin. A second nurse shark approaches from the background.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims just below the water surface over a shallow reef. The typical spot pattern on the dark back and the massive body shape are impressive.
A large gathering of nurse sharks during a night dive. The sharks crowd over each other on the reef, surrounded by a school of small fish that light up in the camera flash.
A blue water scene shows a large shark gliding elegantly through deep blue water, accompanied by various reef fish. Sun rays penetrate the clear water, creating a peaceful underwater atmosphere with individual coral formations at the edge of the frame.
A nurse shark winds its way over a section of reef during a night dive. Small fish light up in the camera flash, and further nurse sharks are visible in the dark background.
A grey reef shark swims elegantly through the blue water, surrounded by a school of smaller reef fish. The scene shows the typical open-water atmosphere with several sharks and fish at various depths.
Several nurse sharks crowd together on a reef ledge during a night dive. A small school of fish lights up in the camera flash, while the sharks rest on top of each other.
A nurse shark swims calmly through the dark water during a night dive. The shark displays its characteristic blunt snout and the typical barbels at the mouth that help it search for food on the seafloor.
Frontal shot of a nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) resting on the sandy floor. The broad flat head with barbels, the mouth and the tooth rows are clearly visible.
A nurse shark swims through the dark water during a night dive. The powerful body and the characteristic barbels at the mouth are well illuminated by the camera flash.
Several grey reef sharks swim elegantly through deep blue open water. The slender sharks with their characteristic form display their typical behaviour in the open ocean.
A nurse shark glides through dark water during a night dive. A juvenile amberjack (pilotfish) swims at its dorsal fin.
A nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) rests on the pale sandy floor. The massive body and the typical twin dorsal fins are clearly visible in the wide-angle shot.
A grey reef shark swims elegantly through the blue water while various smaller reef fish congregate in the background. The shark displays its characteristic streamlined silhouette and typical grey colouring with distinctive fins.
A grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) passes the camera from the side. The elegant body shape, the gill slits and the characteristic round eye are clearly recognisable.
A grey reef shark glides along a vividly encrusted reef, surrounded by numerous anthias and small reef fish. The elegant body posture and the gill slits are clearly visible in the camera flash.
A reef shark swims elegantly above a colourful coral landscape in blue water. The shark displays the typical streamlined form and moves calmly through its territory while small fish populate the reef.
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swims just below the water surface, accompanied by a snorkeller. The characteristic spot pattern on the dark back and the enormous size of the animal are impressive.
Two grey reef sharks swim side by side through the deep blue water. Further sharks are visible as silhouettes in the background.
A grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) swims frontally towards the camera in the deep blue water of the Maldives. Further fish and a second shark in the depths are visible in the background.
A grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) glides sideways through the blue water above the reef. Further fish swim in the background. The streamlined silhouette is perfectly visible.
A large black-spotted stingray rests on the reef floor while a grey reef shark glides above it. Numerous small reef fish enliven the scene.
A whitetip reef shark glides elegantly through the deep blue water. The slender shark displays its characteristic grey colouration and typical gill slits as it swims majestically through the open water.
A group of grey reef sharks swim above a coral reef. The sharks display their typical behaviour of patrolling in groups in the current during the day, keeping watch for prey.
A grey reef shark swims elegantly through the blue open water, surrounded by a school of smaller reef fish. The shark displays its characteristic streamlined shape and typical grey colouration with white underside.
Several nurse sharks rest on the sandy floor during a night dive. Numerous remoras and small companion fish surround the sharks, and the scene is illuminated by the diver's light.
A majestic scalloped hammerhead shark glides elegantly through the deep blue water, while further sharks are visible in the background. The characteristic spread pectoral fins and the streamlined design of the animal are perfectly showcased.
Macro portrait of a young whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus). The eye with the slit-shaped pupil and the rough shark skin are visible in detail.
Grey reef sharks glide in formation through the open blue water. Their silvery shimmering bodies stand out impressively against the intense blue of the open ocean.
A majestic whale shark swims calmly over the sandy seafloor. The characteristic white spots and lines are clearly visible on the dark grey skin as this gentle giant displays its imposing size.
A whitetip reef shark rests in a crevice on the seafloor, displaying the typical behaviour of this species — sheltering in caves or under ledges during the day. Its characteristic pale colouration and distinctive white-tipped fins are clearly visible.
A school of scalloped hammerhead sharks patrols in the deep blue water. The elegant predators swim in loose formation at various depths.
A majestic whale shark glides calmly through the blue water. The characteristic white spots and stripes on the brownish-grey skin are clearly visible as the gentle giant adopts its typical relaxed swimming posture.
A majestic whale shark glides elegantly over the coral reef, its characteristic white spots clearly visible against the dark skin. Soft sunlight penetrates the crystal-clear deep blue water, creating a peaceful underwater atmosphere.
A scalloped hammerhead shark swims majestically through the deep blue water. The characteristic hammer-shaped head is clearly recognisable; another shark's silhouette is visible in the background.
A majestic whale shark glides calmly over a coral reef. The characteristic white spots and stripes on the grey skin are clearly visible as the gentle giant swims elegantly through the clear blue water.
An oceanic whitetip shark (Longimanus) swims elegantly through the deep blue water, accompanied by a school of black-and-white striped pilotfish. The small companion fish use the shark for protection and follow it closely as it swims majestically through the open water.
An oceanic whitetip shark (Longimanus) swims majestically through the deep blue water, accompanied by a large school of black-and-white striped pilotfish. The small companion fish use the shark for protection and transport — a fascinating example of commensalism in the open ocean.
A close-up of the mouth of a young whitetip shark. The small teeth are clearly visible.
A young blacktip reef shark swims elegantly over the sandy bottom. The characteristic black tips on the fins and the slender body shape are clearly visible as the shark glides calmly through the clear water.
A juvenile whitetip reef shark rests on the sandy seafloor beneath a reef overhang adorned with colourful corals and sponges, displaying the typical daytime resting behaviour of this species in sheltered areas.
A majestic whale shark glides elegantly through the deep blue water, showing its characteristic white spots on the brownish skin. The shot shows the front section of the animal with its wide mouth and typical longitudinal ridges as it filters for food.
An oceanic whitetip shark (Longimanus) swims elegantly through the deep blue open water, accompanied by a school of striped pilotfish. The symbiosis between the shark and the small companion fish is clearly visible as they glide together through the open ocean.
An elegant oceanic whitetip shark (Longimanus) swims majestically through the deep blue open water. The slender shark displays its characteristic bluish-grey colouration and the typically long pectoral fins as it glides calmly through the open ocean.
A school of scalloped hammerhead sharks moves through the open blue water. The characteristic head shapes of the hammerheads are clearly recognisable even in the depths of the blue ocean.
An oceanic whitetip shark (Longimanus) swims majestically through the deep blue water, accompanied by numerous black-and-white striped pilotfish. The small companion fish use the shark as transport and benefit from the symbiosis, while the water surface is visible in the background.
An oceanic whitetip shark (Longimanus) glides elegantly through the deep blue water, accompanied by a school of black-and-white striped pilotfish. The pilotfish swim characteristically close around the shark, making use of its protection and current.
A school of hammerhead sharks glides majestically through the deep blue open water. The characteristic hammer-shaped head structures are clearly recognisable as the animals swim in a loose formation.
A majestic scalloped hammerhead shark glides elegantly through the deep blue open water. The characteristic hammer-shaped head broadening and the streamlined body shape are clearly recognisable as the shark patrols its natural environment.
A majestic oceanic whitetip shark glides elegantly through the deep blue water, accompanied by two pilotfish with characteristic dark crossbands. The scene shows a classic symbiosis in the open ocean, with the pilotfish following the shark and benefiting from falling food scraps.
A hammerhead shark glides elegantly through the deep blue open water. The characteristic hammer-shaped head form (cephalofoil) is clearly recognisable as the shark moves through the blue water in a typically relaxed swimming posture.
A hammerhead shark glides elegantly through the deep blue open water. The characteristic hammer-shaped head with the laterally positioned eyes is clearly recognisable as the shark displays its typical streamlined silhouette.
A large hammerhead shark swims majestically through the deep blue water, while further sharks are visible in the background. The characteristic hammer-shaped head structure is clearly visible, and the scene shows the impressive behaviour of these ocean predators in the open ocean.
A majestic oceanic whitetip shark (Longimanus) glides elegantly through the deep blue water, accompanied by a group of black-and-white striped pilotfish. The symbiosis between the large predator and its small companions is clearly visible, while a diver in the background documents the impressive scene.
A majestic hammerhead shark hovers elegantly in deep blue open water. The characteristic hammer-shaped head structure and the streamlined silhouette are clearly recognisable against the blue water.
An oceanic whitetip shark (Longimanus) glides elegantly through the deep blue water near the water surface. Sunbeams penetrate the crystal-clear water and create dramatic illumination, while the shark displays its characteristic streamlined silhouette.
A school of hammerhead sharks glides elegantly through the deep blue water. The slender sharks move in formation, with their characteristic grey colouration and typical shark body shape clearly recognisable.
An oceanic whitetip shark swims elegantly through deep blue water near the surface, accompanied by small pilotfish. The shot shows the streamlined body and the characteristic long pectoral fins of the shark in the brilliant blue water.
A majestic hammerhead shark swims elegantly through the deep blue open water. The characteristic hammer-shaped head structure (cephalofoil) is clearly recognisable, as the shark was photographed in a typical swimming motion.
Two hammerhead sharks swim elegantly through the deep blue open water. The characteristic hammer-shaped head form is clearly recognisable as the sharks glide through the open water in typical fashion.
An oceanic whitetip shark (Longimanus) glides elegantly through the blue water, accompanied by a shoal of black-and-white striped pilotfish. The pilotfish swim in typical symbiosis close to the shark, using it for protection while feeding on parasites and food scraps.
A hammerhead shark glides majestically through the deep blue open water. The characteristic hammer-shaped head form is clearly recognisable as the shark swims elegantly through the blue water.
A hammerhead shark swims majestically through deep blue water above a reef. The characteristic hammer-shaped head is clearly recognisable as the shark glides elegantly through the blue water.
A thresher shark glides calmly over the sandy seafloor near a reef edge. The shark displays its characteristic streamlined profile and long tail fin as it cruises unhurriedly through its territory.
An oceanic whitetip shark swims elegantly in the blue open water, accompanied by a group of black-and-white striped pilotfish. The small fish use the shark as transport and protection.
An elegant grey reef shark glides through the deep blue water of the open ocean. The slender body and characteristic pectoral fins are clearly recognisable as the shark maintains its typical calm swimming posture.
A thresher shark swims majestically through the deep blue water of the open ocean. The slender shark displays its characteristic streamlined form and typically long pectoral fins as it glides elegantly through the blue water.
Two majestic thresher sharks glide elegantly through deep blue water above a coral reef. The large predators with their characteristic long tails swim through the water column while small fish populate the reef below.
A hammerhead shark swims elegantly over a diverse coral landscape. The shark displays its typical streamlined profile as it glides through the clear blue water, surrounded by a healthy reef structure with various hard and soft corals.
A grey reef shark glides majestically through deep blue water. The slender, streamlined body and characteristic pectoral fins are clearly recognisable as the shark swims calmly through the blue water.
A grey reef shark opens its mouth at a cleaning station to have its teeth cleaned. The slender shark displays its characteristic streamlined form and moves calmly through its territory among the coral formations.
A thresher shark swims elegantly through deep blue open water. The slender shark with its characteristic bluish colouring and long tail fin displays the typical streamlined body shape of this pelagic species.
Several hammerhead sharks swim elegantly through deep blue open water, their slender silhouettes clearly visible against the brilliant blue background. The shot captures these majestic predators in their natural element of the open ocean.
A hammerhead shark glides majestically over an expansive coral landscape. The shark displays its characteristic streamlined form and typical grey colouring with a whitish underside as it swims through the blue water above the diverse reef.