It is found in the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea from Tanzania to Mozambique, including Madagascar and the Comores and in the mid and eastern Indian ocean from the Maldives and Sri Lanka to western Australia. It is commonly found near the edges of continental shelves and over deepwater reefs where there is abundant food source. Studies show no strong tendency for sexual segregation in the silky shark however, they often travel with others of their own size indicating that size segregation is present within the species. Typically, smaller sharks can be found in coastal nurseries and adults further offshore over deeper water. Small silky sharks are commonly associated with schools of tuna.
Pectoral fins are long and slender, typically with dusky tips.
Tips of fins other than first dorsal dusky, more conspicuous in juveniles. Rep. NMFS Circ. Lower teeth erect with smooth edges. Usually 1 or 2 symphysial teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. For example, populations in the Pacific and Indian oceans generally have a smaller size at maturation.