Blacktip Reef Shark
(Carcharhinus melanopterus)
Habitat: Coral Reefs |
Exhibit Gallery: Sharks: Pacific Islands
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| This species likes to cruise in shallow waters (less than 10 feet deep) close to shore. One of the most common sharks found in tropical reefs from Hawaii to the Red Sea, along with whitetip and gray reef sharks. Adults average about five feet in length and feed on small fishes and invertebrates. |
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| Regularly caught by inshore fisheries and vulnerable to depletion because of a long gestation period and small litter size. Fins are valued for shark-fin soup and the liver as a source of oil. Once plentiful along Hawaiian reefs, they're sighted less frequently today. |
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| Has been known to accidentally bite waders and swimmers while hunting, but not generally considered dangerous, because of its small size. |
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| Can supposedly jump over shallow reefs and leap out of water. In Hawaii, some families see this shark as their "aumakua," or guardian spirit, feeding them and rarely killing them. |
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