Exploring the Elegance and Mystery of The Blacktip Reef Shark

The blacktip reef shark, known as Carcharhinus melanopterus is a species of requiem shark inhabiting the sun-reaching ocean layer(the epipelagic zone) and is named for its blacktips on its fins. This creature is known to roam reefs with the classic presence of sharks (talk about the black tips).

Table of Contents

Where Blacktip Reef Sharks Roam:

It’s found in nearshore waters in the Indo-Pacific, from South Africa to the Red Sea to Southeast Asia. It’s also found in northern Australia. Usually, it roams from the surface to the typical depth of the coral reefs(maximum of 75 meters but usually less with its famous blacktip appearing from the surface).

Unraveling the Features of a Reef Dweller:

The blacktip reef shark size can reach 1.6 meters with females larger than males. It has a muscular and robust build and moderate eyes. It has 11-13 teeth on both upper jaws(10-12 on the lower one). The teeth have a triangular shape for cutting flesh from prey. The teeth of males are more curved than females. The first dorsal fin has an S-shape from the rear tips of the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin is large opposite to the anal fin. It has a grayish body color with all fins marked with black tips. They can reach 2 meters and weigh up to 13.6 kg.

Blacktip Reef Shark Diet:

The primary food source of this shark consists of small teleost fishes, mullets, jacks, and surgeonfish. They also eat sea snakes, squid, octopus, cuttlefish, shrimp, and mantis shrimp. They also eat algae and turtle grass. They feed more at night than at daytime. They also eat small fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

Behavior And Lifespan:

This shark is really difficult to approach unless roused by food. People who are swimming on the surface may have their legs bitten. It can be attracted to metal tools underwater, it can also detect healthy or injured fish making this shark an effective hunter not missing any potential prey. Its vision is adapted to low-light conditions. They can detect objects but have no differentiation in shape. They feel confident and excited when surrounded by other blacktip reef sharks. They can live from 10 to 12 years.

Reproduction And Lifecycle:

This shark is viviparous with an annual reproductive cycle. Mating occurs from January To February. Females can bear only four in a year. The female signals her reception to mate by swimming near the bottom with her head pointed down, the male detects these chemical signals and closes to around 15 cm with a snout directing her vent. It may even bite her. When ready, the male pushes the female with her tail rising and head down inserting his claspers into her cloaca. This will last several minutes. The gestation period lasts between 7-11 months depending on the region. Newly ovulated egg cases measure 3.9 cm.

Blacktip Reef Shark Predators:

Despite their fierce and highly active predators,they fall prey to larger fish including grey reef sharks, tiger sharks,and members of their own species. They also are affected by parasites such as Anthobothrium lesteri, and Nybelinia Queenslanders.

Conservation Status:

This shark is often caught by other fisheries, and pollution of reef corals so they lose their habitat, and the population is declining. It’s classified as near threatened by Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

Cool Facts:

-The females incubate young for 12 months before giving birth.

-Females are much larger than males.

As we bid farewell to the world of the Blacktip Reef Shark, let’s carry with us the echoes of their graceful presence amidst vibrant coral reefs.