Overview

• A peer‑reviewed Marine Biodiversity paper identifies the fish as the first scientifically confirmed case of total xanthism in a nurse shark and the first xanthic record from the Caribbean Sea.
• The approximately 200 cm shark was photographed near Tortuguero National Park in August 2024 at 37 meters depth in about 31.2°C water before being released.
• Researchers describe the condition as albino‑xanthochromism based on the bright yellow‑orange body and pasty white eyes with no visible irises.
• Images originally posted by fisherman Garvin Watson on the Parismina Domus Dei Facebook page have resurfaced online following the study’s publication.
• The authors note the shark’s adult size indicates survival to maturity and recommend genetic and ecological follow‑up to examine causes and any conservation implications.