15+ Interesting Facts About Blacktip Reef Sharks

1. The blacktip reef shark is one of the three species of sharks (alongside whitetip reef and grey reef sharks) that permanently reside in the Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Compared to the other two sharks that inhabit deep water, these coastal sharks are predominant in the shallow waters of this area.
   
2. Blacktip reef sharks can enter brackish and freshwater environments. But this fish cannot remain longer in this ecosystem due to its inability to tolerate the low salinity of freshwater.
3. In 1998, scientists found a dead blacktip reef shark after suffering from hemorrhagic septicemia. It happened due to bacterial infection and caused problems in its fins, gills, intestinal walls, and other organs. It was the first such infection discovered in a shark. (Source)
4. The most common food for blacktip reef sharks is small fish (mullet, jacks, etc.), crustaceans (shrimp and mantis), and mollusks (squid, octopus, and cuttlefish). But these sharks have also been found eating sea snakes and sea birds through their strong teeth (number around 50).
5. The hunting of blacktip reef sharks by humans is for their meat, liver oil, and fins. However, it is less commercially significant than other shark species due to its smaller size.
6. Few larger fish also tend to eat small members of blacktip reef sharks. The main predators of this shark are tiger sharks and grey reef sharks.

   

   Blacktip reefs have one of the smallest home ranges of sharks

   
   
7. Blacktip reef shark has one of the smallest, just over 0.5 km², home ranges among sharks. They remain in this small area for years.
8. Blacktip reef sharks are not dangerous to humans due to their smaller size (average length of just over 5 feet and maximum length of 7 feet). But few unprovoked attacks by this shark on wading humans (on their legs and feet) have been recorded. All these attacks resulted in minor injuries. 
   
9. When a female blacktip shark becomes receptive to mating, it releases a unique chemical and swims in a slow sinusoidal pattern to attract males.
10. According to IUCN, the conservation status of blacktip reef sharks is “Near Threatened.” Slow reproduction of this shark, climate change, and overfishing at a few locations are the reasons for its slightly endangered status.
11. The most prominent feature of this shark is the black tip on all its fins, while its most visible black marking is on the dorsal fin. This feature distinguishes blacktip reef sharks from other similar-looking sharks, such as grey reef sharks.
12. Blacktip reef sharks are economically valuable due to their role in aquarium and dive tourism. They get more value for this purpose due to their docile nature and relatively small size.
13. Blacktip reef sharks can easily detect small objects at a distance of 5 feet (1.5 m). But it can’t spot fine details due to the absence of cone cells in its retina.
14. Blacktip sharks are different from blacktip reef sharks. Blacktip sharks are larger and live in shallow open water areas compared to the coral reef habitat of blacktip reef sharks. In contrast to black spots on the fins of blacktip reef sharks, there are uniform black lines on the edges of blacktip sharks’ fins.
15. Like few other shark species, blacktip reef sharks can also breach (jump out of water). They generally do so while catching prey. During this leap, they rotate multiple times in the air before returning to the water.
16. Blacktip reefs are one of the few shark species that swim in schools (large groups). This social behavior assists them in catching prey and avoiding predators.
17. A Blacktip reef shark has a dark back and a white belly. This skin coloration provides camouflage in its environment due to the dim seafloor and bright ocean surface.
18. Blacktip reef sharks are viviparous (live-bearing) species. The gestation period for female sharks is 8 to 16 months, according to their location. It generally gives birth to 2-5 pups in a litter. They usually live for 13 to 15 years.