Blacktip Reef Shark

Up to 6 ft, generally under 5 ft

Family	Carcharhinidae
Description	Requiem sharks
Environment	Fresh, Brackish & Marine
Etymology	Greek, karcharos, -ou = cutting, sharp and also a kind of shark + Greek, rhinos = nose
Genus	12
No. of Species	59
Order	Carcharhiniformes
Class	Elasmobranchii
Reproductive Guild	Bearers
Distribution	Global. Gill openings 5, the fifth behind origin of pectoral fin. Small to large sharks with round eyes, internal nictitating eyelids, no nasoral grooves or barbels, usually no spiracles. Teeth usually bladelike with one cusp. Development usually viviparous with young born fully developed. Includes several dangerous species, but most prefer to avoid divers.

Can be seen very close to the coastline and coral reef edge; found from the surface to 100 ft. Inhabits shallow water close inshore on coral reefs and in the intertidal zone (reef flats), near reef drop-offs and close offshore. Also found in mangrove areas, moving in and out with the tide and even in fresh water, but not in tropical lakes and rivers far from the sea. Occurs singly or in small groups. Prefers fishes but also feeds on crustaceans, cephalopods and other mollusks (Ref. 6871). Viviparous (Ref. 50449). May become aggressive to spear fishers and has been reported to bite people wading in shallow water. Reported to cause poisoning (Ref. 4690). 2 to 4 young of 46 to 52 cm are born per litter. This species is commonly seen in public aquaria. Maximum reported weight from IGFA was 13.550 kg

Light brown with large black marks on the first dorsal fin and lower tail tips; no inter dorsal ridge. Eats small reef fishes and invertebrates. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. A small shark with a short, bluntly rounded snout, oval eyes, and narrow-cusped teeth; 2nd dorsal fin large; no interdorsal ridge. Yellow-brown above, white below; all fins conspicuous with black or dark brown tips also anterior and posterior dark edging on pectoral fins and upper lobe of caudal fin; a prominent black tip of first dorsal fin set off abruptly by a light band below it; a conspicuous dark band on flanks, extending rearward to pelvic fins

Viviparous, placental. Litter size 2-4 pups after an 8-9 months gestation period (up to 16 months in some localities). Size at birth ranges from 33-52 cm; 48-50 cm TL. Distinct pairing with embrace. Precopulatory and courtship involve the male closely following near the female's vent which could possibly be guided by their sense of smell

Summary of Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Persian Gulf, Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and the Tuamoto Archipelago. North to Japan and south to Australia. Apparently rare or absent in the more easterly groups. Also eastern Mediterranean (through the Suez Canal).
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Spinning, baitcasting and light ocean outfits. Small dead fish and cut baits.

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