Blacktip Reef Shark

About the Blacktip Reef Shark

The Blacktip reef shark is a migratory, saltwater, reef-associated, subtropical shark that inhabits shallow water close inshore on coral reefs. Native to the Indo-Pacific, it is found in areas like The Red Sea, East Africa, Hawaii, Japan and Australia. The Blacktip reef shark is listed as vulnerable because it is caught as both a target species and bycatch in industrial and small-scale fisheries. It may be retained for its fins, flesh, skin, teeth, and liver.

Biology and Behaviour

The blacktip reef shark is a medium-sized shark with a short, bluntly rounded snout, oval eyes, and narrow-pointed teeth. All fins on this shark have distinctive black or dark brown tips. This species reaches a length of approximately 180 cm (70.9 in) and feeds on fish as well as crab, lobster, octopus and other mollusks.

It is found from the surface to depths of at least 75 m (246 ft) and occurs alone or in small groups.

Reproduction
Blacktip reef sharks are viviparous. They give birth to live young after a gestation period of 8 to 9 months, bearing 2 to 4 pups per litter. Females reproduce every two years. The size of the young at birth ranges from 30 to 50 cm (11.8–19.7 in) in length and reach sexual maturity between 90 and 134 cm (35.4–52.8 in) in length. On the Great Barrier Reef, males mature at approximately 4.2 years and females at about 8.5 years.

Conservation

The Blacktip reef shark is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and its population trend is decreasing. The IUCN assessment estimates a population reduction of approximately 30–49% over the past three generation lengths.

The family Carcharhinidae, which includes the Blacktip reef shark, is listed in Appendix II of CITES. This means that international trade of the species and its products is regulated and requires the appropriate permits.

Do you have images or videos of Blacktip Reef Sharks?
Submit them to [email protected].

Blacktip Reef Shark Gallery