VulnerableSilky Shark
Carcharhinus falciformis
One of the 26 sharks on WAnimals
Cartilaginous fish · Carcharhiniformes · Carcharhinidae
Carcharhinus melanopterus
At high risk of extinction in the wild over the medium term.
The blacktip reef shark or reef shark is a species of requiem shark identifiable by the black edges on its dorsal and caudal fins. They are abundant on the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, preferring shallow coastal waters. Most blacktip sharks are found on reef ledges and sandy floors, although they are also known to enter brackish and fresh water. It usually reaches a length of 1.6 metres.
Weight
10 kg – 30 kg
Size
1.2 m – 2 m
Life expectancy
25 years
Diet
Carnivore
Feeds mainly on other animals.
Activity
Diurnal
Active mainly during the day.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
Sighting difficulty
Moderate
Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcharhinus_melanopterus
Best time: All year round in shallow Indo-Pacific lagoons and reefs; at high tide it comes into water barely half a metre deep.
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented — showing 20 of 272.
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Blacktip Reef Shark — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
The blacktip reef shark is classified as vulnerable. Organisations such as the IUCN, WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programmes is a good starting point if you want to get involved.
It's documented in 13 protected areas — one reason why protecting these places matters for its conservation.
Based on what we already know about blacktip reef shark.
Share an experience, a fun fact or a tip for seeing the blacktip reef shark.
Be the first to comment.
The pins mark the parks and dive sites where its presence is documented.
