Carcharhinus melanopterus

(Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)

Vernacular names
English : Blacktip reef shark
French : Requin à pointes noires

Classification
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Carcharhinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 2 meters in length for a weight of 13 kg. Slender-bodied shark with short rounded snout. Coloration bronze-grey, white on belly, with dark band on lower flanks, to pelvic fins. Black tips on fins with clear bands below.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, north to southern Japan, south to Northern Australia. Lives in shallow coastal waters near reefs or mangroves, down to 75 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has a large range and is very common in some areas. However its long gestation and small litter sizes are sources of concern.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, ESB in Europe

Observation

 

Back to “Sharks” page