The blacktip reef shark is a sleek, grey requiem shark reaching around 2 m in length, instantly recognizable by black markings on the tips of its dorsal and caudal fins. It patrols shallow coral reef environments across Indo-Pacific waters, often in groups, and is commonly sighted by divers in depths of 1–30 m. These sharks are viviparous and pupping in shallow bays, and they hunt small fish and crustaceans with quick, darting movements. The species is listed as vulnerable due to overfishing pressure across its range.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Elasmobranchii
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Genus
- Carcharhinus
Most likely to be seen at
Sites where its range and habitat make it likely — not yet confirmed by a logged sighting.