Approximately 2,000 species of fish have been found in the coastal waters of the Maldives...

Approximately 2,000 species of fish have been found in the coastal waters of the Maldives, of which 300 are reef fish. The largest whale sharks are 20 meters long.

Coral reefs rich in living creatures, of course, attract predators, including sharks. The very word shark often frightens divers, although the small, poisonous reef dwellers are more likely to cause trouble to humans.

The reef sharks of the Maldives are so accustomed to people that they calmly swim by on their own business.