need help identifying some sealife

[neutrallybuoyant]

So I'm pretty sure I saw a shark when I was diving on the Sherman, a wreck off of Myrtle Beach, last May. But unfortunately I only saw it for a couple seconds, so I'm not completely sure what it was. If you guys wouldn't mind could you check out the following video and let me know what this thing is. It appears around the 1:05 mark and once it swims away its gone so you don't need to watch the whole video, unless you want to.

This may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but this is the first and only time I think I've seen a shark on a dive. So thanks a lot and let me know if this link isn't working.

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[Hetland]

Congratulations on your shark!

I'd bet it was not a requiem, cuvier or mackerel shark... looks like a sandtiger, but I'm not seeing the second dorsal, so I can't be too positive.

The area you were diving in is known for sandtigers. They generally leave divers alone as long as they are not harassed.

 

[PatMyGreen]

I was thinking it could be a cobia based on the shading dorsal to ventral. I'm no expert either way, just God knows I've seen them more than once and thought they were a shark.

 

[kalik]

I was under the impression that sand tigers usually stay closer to the bottom where the food is. Ill have to agree with PMG on the cobia

 

[Walter]

It's not a Sand Tiger. Sand Tigers have two almost equal size dorsal fins and the upper lobe of the caudal fin is much longer than the lower lobe.

This fish has only one visible dorsal fin and the upper lobe of the caudal fin is approximately the same size as the lower lobe.

My guess is it's either a Great White, a Mako, or it's not a shark. It's very difficult to see in your video. I've paused the video and walked it through pausing and looking. There are no good shots of the fish. Next time you think you see a shark, keep the camera on it.

 

[JPENDERGRAST]

I third PMG on this one. The dorsal looks like it slopes back toward the the tail, moreso than what a shark's would. Then again, I'm no marine biologist..

 

[Hetland]

I was thinking it could be a cobia based on the shading dorsal to ventral. I'm no expert either way, just God knows I've seen them more than once and thought they were a shark.

The pectoral fins look too long for a cobia...... but that would certainly fit the tail fin and dorsal of this underwater sasquatch. I never considered a non-shark, but I think you've got it pegged.

 

[neutrallybuoyant]

Thanks a lot guys!

 

[jhayes75]

Cobia, MMMM yummy. That is some good eaten there.

 

[bm3mcj]

how big was it?