Blacktip Reef Shark

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Also known as: Blacktip reef shark • Black-tip reef shark • Black fin reef shark

Kingdom: Animalia• Family: Carcharhinidae• Order: Carcharhiniformes

The blacktip reef shark is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, which can be easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins. Among the most abundant sharks inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, this species prefers shallow, inshore waters. Its exposed first dorsal fin is a common sight in the region. The blacktip reef shark is usually found over reef ledges and sandy flats, though it has also been known to enter brackish and freshwater environments. It typically attains a length of 1.6 m (5.2 ft). Like other sharks, the females are larger than the males.

🛡️ Conservation Status

vulnerable

Quick Facts

Common Names:

Blacktip Reef Shark, Blacktip reef shark, Black-tip reef shark, Black fin reef shark, Black finned shark, Black tip reef shark, Black tip shark, Black tips nilow, Blackfin reef shark, Blacktip reefshark, Blacktip shark, Guliman, Reef blacktip shark, Requien shark, Shark, blacktip reef shark, mano paʻele, Black Tip Shark, Black-tip Reef Shark, Black-tip Shark, Black-tipped Reef Shark, Blacktip Shark

Class:

Elasmobranchii

Conservation Status:

vulnerable

Data Completeness:

100%

Data Sources

🌍gbif

📚itis

📖wikipedia

🔬eol

🦎inaturalist

References

All references are verified for authenticity. We prioritize peer-reviewed studies, reputable databases (iNaturalist, GBIF), and established encyclopedias.

Distribution Statistics

Observations

Countries

Top Locations

Îles Sous-le-Vent, PF

Îles du Vent, PF

Mersing, MY-JH, MY

Îles Tuamotu-Gambier, PF

Recent Observers

@coralreefdreams

@albertcasals

@mike_kelly_photography

@docaroe

@ilafrance

@tobin_sparling

First: 8/8/2007 · Latest: 6/8/2025

Data aggregates species content from multiple sources including Wikipedia, iNaturalist, GBIF, and ITIS. Content may transform over time. Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.