The Blacktip Reef Shark, Black Tip Shark, Black-tip Reef Shark, Blacktip Shark, Black-tip Shark, Guliman – Carcharhinus melanopterus – is a species of requiem shark commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They are known for their distinctive black tips on their fins, particularly on their dorsal and pectoral fins.
Description & Characteristics
The Carcharhinus melanopterus is a relatively small shark, reaching a maximum size of 200.0 cm (approximately 6.5 feet). They have a slender body shape, with a pointed snout and a wide, crescent-shaped tail fin. Their coloration is typically gray or brown on the dorsal side and white on the ventral side, with the characteristic black tips on their fins. They are known to be opportunistic feeders, with a diet that varies depending on the location and availability of prey.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Blacktip Reef Shark, Black Tip Shark, Black-tip Reef Shark, Blacktip Shark, Black-tip Shark, Guliman – Carcharhinus melanopterus – inhabits a variety of marine zones, including the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zones of the oceans. Their depth range typically extends from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m (656 ft) water depth. This means they can be found in shallow coastal waters, as well as in deeper waters on the continental shelf. They are primarily a neritic species, meaning they prefer to inhabit waters over the continental shelf, rather than the open ocean.
Taxonomy
The species Carcharhinus melanopterus belongs to the Class: Elasmobranchii, Order: Carcharhiniformes, and Family: Carcharhinidae. This classification places them within the group of cartilaginous fishes (Elasmobranchii), which includes sharks, rays, and skates. The order Carcharhiniformes encompasses a wide variety of sharks, and the family Carcharhinidae, also known as requiem sharks, is one of the most diverse and abundant families within this order.
Feeding
The Carcharhinus melanopterus is a carnivore with a diverse diet that includes a variety of fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Their diet is opportunistic and varies depending on availability, but common prey items include carrion, clam meat, coralfish of all kind, crabs, edible crabs, small fish, rock lobster, shrimps, and sepia. This broad dietary spectrum reflects their adaptability and ability to exploit a range of food sources in their environment.
Image References