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)
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)
Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus)
Blacknose shark
(Carcharhinus acronotus)
Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)
Oceanic whitetip shark
(Carcharhinus longimanus)
Dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus)
Dusky shark
(Carcharhinus obscurus)
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
Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
Great white shark
(Carcharodon carcharias)
Pacific angelshark (Squatina californica)
Pacific angelshark
(Squatina californica)
Raja epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti)
Raja epaulette shark
(Hemiscyllium freycineti)
Crested hornshark (Heterodontus galeatus)
Crested hornshark
(Heterodontus galeatus)
Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
Scalloped hammerhead
(Sphyrna lewini)
Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus)
Tawny nurse shark
(Nebrius ferrugineus)
Japanese wobbegong (Orectolobus japonicus)
Japanese wobbegong
(Orectolobus japonicus)
Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum)
Zebra shark
(Stegostoma fasciatum)

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