Blacktip Reef Shark

ID points

• Every fin tip carries a bold black blotch
• The black tip of the first dorsal fin is backed below by a white band
• Often cruises very shallow lagoons with the dorsal fin out of the water

Basics

Family

Carcharhinidae

Length

100–160 cm

Depth

0-30 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Shallow tropical coral reefs and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific

Habitat

Shallow lagoons and reef flats

Diet

Small reef fish, crustaceans

Easily confused with

Whitetip Reef SharkWhite tips on the first dorsal fin and the upper tail lobeBull SharkStout body with a short blunt snout that looks cut off flatCaribbean Reef SharkStout body, first dorsal fin starting over the rear edge of the pectoral fins

Fun fact

The blacktip reef shark is the shark divers meet most often on the reef flat. Its black fin tips are easy to pick out underwater, and the dorsal fin often breaks the surface in the shallows. They are relatively mild mannered and very rarely go after people.

More in this family

• Blue Shark
• Grey Reef Shark
• Lemon Shark
• Oceanic Whitetip Shark
• Silky Shark
• Tiger Shark