Sealife guideThe blacktip reef sharkCarcharhinus melanopterus

Taxonomy
Description
The blacktip reef shark, with its gray back and whitish belly, is particularly recognizable by the black tip of its dorsal fin. The blacktip reef shark can reach up to 6.5 feet in length and weigh up to around 22 pounds.
The blacktip reef shark is recognizable by the black tip on its fin !
The blacktip reef shark is recognizable by the black tip on its fin ! © | Dreamstime.com
Range
The blacktip reef shark is found in the subtropical coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific ocean, ranging from the eastern coasts of Africa to Hawaii and the Tuamotu archipelago, including the Maldives and French Polynesia. It is also present in the Red sea and via the Suez Canal, in the Mediterranean sea.
Habitat
The blacktip reef shark inhabits shallow lagoon waters or the edges of lagoons near reefs, but it can also be found at depths of up to 246 feet.
Typically, the blacktip reef shark frequents the same reef areas and may live in groups of several individuals.
Diet
The blacktip reef shark primarily feeds on various types of fish, as well as crustaceans, cephalopods and other mollusks.
The blacktip reef shark accompanied by its faithful remoras !
The blacktip reef shark accompanied by its faithful remoras !
Reproduction
The blacktip reef shark is viviparous. After a 9-month gestation period, the female gives birth to a litter of 2 to 4 pups, each measuring around 16 inches, although they grow very slowly afterward.
Did you know ?
The blacktip reef shark cannot remain stationary without risking suffocation, as it needs to constantly move to generate a water current through its gills to supply the oxygen needed for breathing.
The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) © | Dreamstime.com
The blacktip reef shark is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The blacktip reef shark appears in the IUCN Red List since 2020 within the category Vulnerable !
Within the same genus
Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
Bull shark
(Carcharhinus leucas)
Copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus)
Copper shark
(Carcharhinus brachyurus)
Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi)
Caribbean reef shark
(Carcharhinus perezi)
Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Galapagos shark
(Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)
Sandbar shark
(Carcharhinus plumbeus)
Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
Grey reef shark
(Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)
Oceanic whitetip shark
(Carcharhinus longimanus)
Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
Silky Shark
(Carcharhinus falciformis)
Within the same family
Blue shark (Prionace glauca)
Blue shark
(Prionace glauca)
Lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris)
Lemon shark
(Negaprion brevirostris)
Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus)
Whitetip reef shark
(Triaenodon obesus)
Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
Tiger shark
(Galeocerdo cuvier)
Explore also
Common angelshark (Squatina squatina)
Common angelshark
(Squatina squatina)
Brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)
Brownbanded bamboo shark
(Chiloscyllium punctatum)
Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus)
Greenland shark
(Somniosus microcephalus)
Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
Scalloped hammerhead
(Sphyrna lewini)
Broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus)
Broadnose sevengill shark
(Notorynchus cepedianus)
Japanese wobbegong (Orectolobus japonicus)
Japanese wobbegong
(Orectolobus japonicus)
Coral catshark (Atelomycterus marmoratus)
Coral catshark
(Atelomycterus marmoratus)
Leopard catshark (Poroderma pantherinum)
Leopard catshark
(Poroderma pantherinum)

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