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BLACKTIP REEF SHARK Carcharhinus melanopterus

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Carcharhinus melanopterus is a common reef shark with distinctive black markings on the ends of its fins and a blunt snout. It also has a white streak on its side. (It is NOT the same as the blacktip shark.) It can grow to be about 6' (1.6 m) long.

The blacktip reef shark is widely displayed in aquariums, as it is one of the few sharks that does well in captivity.

TEETH
The blacktip reef shark has long, thin, serrated teeth suited for its diet of reef fish.

The teeth are located in rows which rotate into use as needed. The first two rows are used in obtaining prey, the other rows rotate into place as they are needed. As teeth are lost, broken, or worn down, they are replaced by new teeth that rotate into place.

SIZE
The blacktip reef shark is up to about 6 feet (1.6 m) long.

DIET AND HUNTING
The blacktip reef shark mostly eats reef fish. It hunts in small groups during the day. It commonly preys upon sturgeon fishes and mullet.

BLACKTIP REEF SHARK ATTACKS
The blacktip reef shark is not very aggressive but can be slightly dangerous to divers and waders.

HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
The blacktip reef shark is very common in the coral reefs and shallow lagoons of the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. Some have recently entered the Mediterranean (via the Suez canal).

SOCIAL GROUPS
The blacktip reef shark is generally a solitary eater, but has been observed hunting in small groups.

REPRODUCTION
These sharks are viviparous and have litters of 2-4 pups after a 16 month gestation period.

POPULATION COUNT
The blacktip reef shark is a very common shark.

BLACKTIP REEF SHARK CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom Animalia (animals) Phylum Chordata SubPhylum Vertebrata (vertebrates) Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) Subclass Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) Order Carcharhiniformes Family Carcharhinidae Genus Carcharhinus Species melanopterus

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