Sealife guideThe blacktip reef sharkCarcharhinus melanopterus

Last updated on 09/09/2024 at 12:39 PM
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
Geographic 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
Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi)
Caribbean reef shark
(Carcharhinus perezi)
Copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus)
Copper shark
(Carcharhinus brachyurus)
Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Galapagos shark
(Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
Grey reef shark
(Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)
Oceanic whitetip shark
(Carcharhinus longimanus)
Sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)
Sandbar shark
(Carcharhinus plumbeus)
Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
Silky Shark
(Carcharhinus falciformis)
Silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
Silvertip shark
(Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
Within the same family
Blue shark (Prionace glauca)
Blue shark
(Prionace glauca)
Lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris)
Lemon shark
(Negaprion brevirostris)
Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
Tiger shark
(Galeocerdo cuvier)
Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus)
Whitetip reef shark
(Triaenodon obesus)
Discover also
Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
Basking Shark
(Cetorhinus maximus)
Blind shark (Brachaelurus waddi)
Blind shark
(Brachaelurus waddi)
Brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)
Brownbanded bamboo shark
(Chiloscyllium punctatum)
Great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran)
Great hammerhead shark
(Sphyrna mokarran)
Pacific angelshark (Squatina californica)
Pacific angelshark
(Squatina californica)
Spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus)
Spotted wobbegong
(Orectolobus maculatus)
Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus)
Tawny nurse shark
(Nebrius ferrugineus)
Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
Whale shark
(Rhincodon typus)

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