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| PACIFIC
BLACKTIP REEF SHARK |
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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
Pacific blacktip reef shark |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Chondrichthyes |
| ORDER: |
Carcharhiniformes |
| FAMILY: |
Carcharhinidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Carcharhinus melanopterus |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
A moderately-sized, brownish shark with a blunt
snout, horizontally oval eyes, and obvious black
blotches on the first dorsal apex, lower caudal
lobe and the tips of other fins. They lack an
interdorsal ridge.
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| Pacific
blacktips have a light brown dorsal surface fading
to a white ventral surface. Both the first dorsal
fin and ventral caudal lobe exhibit a conspicuous
black apical blotch. Generally less prominent black
tips are found on other fins. Additionally, they
typically have a conspicuous white band along either
flank. |
| MALE |
External
claspers located on the far underside of the body
- forward of the caudal fin - distinguish males. |
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| WEIGHT: |
14 kg (30.9 lbs) max |
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| DIET: |
Small fish (i.e. mullet, groupers, theraponids,
jacks, mojarras, slipjaws, wrasses, surgeonfish,
sillinginids), mollusks (i.e. cuttlefish, squid,
octopi), and crustaceans (i.e. shrimp and mantis
shrimp) |
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| GESTATION: |
Viviparous, with a yolk sac placenta; gestation
period possibly 16 months, with birth season from
late winter to early summer |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
2-4,
usually 4 |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
91-96 cm in total length |
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| RANGE: |
From the East coast of Africa and the Arabian Sea
to Japanese, Taiwanese, and Chinese waters - encompassing
the shallow, coastal waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific.
The species' Mediterranean range seems to have been
extended by sharks that transited the Suez Canal.
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| HABITAT: |
The Pacific blacktip is a common, wide ranging
tropical Indo-Pacific shark species which prefers
shallow, inshore habitats (i.e. coral reefs).
They are often found within the intertidal zone
- including reef flats with depths of 30 cm or
less. Pacific blacktips are also observed near
vertical drop-offs and occasionally near offshore
areas - to 75 meters in depth.
Active
and strong swimming, the Pacific blacktip is typically
found near the bottom or at midwater if swimming
in deeper water. While swimming in particularly
shallow waters, their protruding dorsal fins are
readily identified by observers. They are often
seen swimming alone or in small groups - though
they are not a rigidly schooling species.
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
No
data |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Lower Risk-Near Threatened |
| CITES |
Not listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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| 1. |
The
wriggling fins of Pacific blacktips are often seen
moving across extremely shallow reef flats only
inches deep. |
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| 2. |
Pacific blacktips have been reported entering brackish
river mouths through Malaysia and Madagascar - where
they have also been found in brackish lakes. |
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| 3. |
This shark species is believed to penetrate into
fresh water in Malaysia; however, its ability to
tolerate fresh water over a specific time duration
is unknown. |
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| 4. |
Due
to its smaller size, this species is not typically
regarded as a danger to humans. Pacific blacktips
have, however, been known to be aggressive toward
humans engaged in spear-fishing. Additionally, people
wading in shallow water have suffered bites upon
their feet and legs from this species. Both types
of encounters likely result from a human incursion
(intentional or no) into the predatory environments
and behaviors of the Pacific blacktip. |
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| 5. |
For
more information about sharks & rays, explore
the sharks
& rays info book. |
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The
Pacific blacktip is one of the most common sharks
found on reef sites throughout the Indo-Pacific
region.
As
a result of their typical residence within shallow
waters, this species is rarely taken by the Australian
gillnet fishery.
Pacific
blacktips are occasionally targeted for human
consumption. During the wet season, Australian
Aborigines will harvest Pacific blacktips and
prepare them as buunhdhaarr - a dish in which
the liver and flesh of the shark are boiled separately
and then minced and mixed together for final consumption.
Elsewhere, the flesh of Pacific blacktips are
prepared fresh or dry-salted. Additionally, the
shark's liver-oil is often harvested for various
uses.
This
species may be preyed upon by larger shark species
and by large groupers.
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| Allen,
Thomas B., The Shark Almanac. The Lyons Press,
1999. |
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Compagno, Leonard J.V., FAO Species Catalog,
Vol. 4 Sharks of the World. United Nations Development
Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations, Rome, 1984. |
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Last, P.R. and Stevens, J.D. Sharks and Rays
of Australia. CSIRO Australia, 1994.
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| www.fishbase.org |
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