Blacktip reef shark

The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a species of shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. They live in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are found in shallow, inshore waters. They are usually 1.6 m (5.2 ft).

Blacktip reef shark
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Order:	Carcharhiniformes
Family:	Carcharhinidae
Genus:	Carcharhinus
Species:	C. melanopterus
Binomial name
Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Range of the blacktip reef shark
Synonyms
Carcharias elegans Ehrenberg, 1871 Carcharias marianensis Engelhardt, 1912 Carcharias melanopterus Quoy & Gaimard, 1824 Carcharias playfairii Günther, 1870 Squalus carcharias minor Forsskål, 1775 Squalus commersonii* Blainville, 1816 Squalus ustus* Duméril, 1824 * ambiguous synonym

Blacktip Reef Shark Media

• Blacktip reef sharks in a Japanese aquarium, 2010

• Aerial view of a blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) at Lady Musgrave Island, Queensland, Australia.

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  Adult blacktip reef sharks are often found patrolling reef ledges.

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  The primary food of the blacktip reef shark is small fish, such as mullet.

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  Young blacktip reef sharks frequent very shallow, sandy flats.

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  Submerged swimmers are less likely to be bitten by the blacktip reef shark than waders.