Reef shark diet
Timid and skittish, the blacktip reef shark is difficult to approach and seldom poses a danger to humans unless roused by food. They are active predators of small bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans, and have also been known to feed on sea snakes and seabirds. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the blacktip reef shark as Near Threatened. Many grey reef sharks have a home range on a specific area of the reef, to which they continually return. The blacktip reef shark prefers shallow, inshore waters. Mating is preceded by the male following closely behind the female, likely attracted by her chemical signals. Identifying features of the grey reef shark include dark edges on all fins except for the first dorsal fin. Adult females also form groups in very shallow water, where the higher water temperature may accelerate their growth or that of their unborn young. Grey reef sharks are fast-swimming, agile predators that feed primarily on free-swimming bony fishes and cephalopods. The pectoral fins are large and narrowly falcate (sickle-shaped), tapering to points. Among the most abundant sharks inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, this species prefers shallow, inshore waters. Not to be confused with the blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus. Although the species as a whole remains widespread and relatively common, overfishing of this slow-reproducing shark has led to its decline at a number of locales. This species can be distinguished from similar species by the plain or white-tipped first dorsal fin, the dark tips on the other fins, the broad, black rear margin on the tail fin, and the lack of a ridge between the dorsal fins. Blacktip reef sharks have extremely small home ranges and exhibit strong site fidelity, remaining within the same local area for up to several years at a time. The second dorsal fin is relatively large with a short rear margin, and is placed opposite the anal fin. This shark is used for its meat, fins, and liver oil, but is not considered to be a commercially significant species. However, people wading through shallow water are at risk of having their legs mistakenly bitten. As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed this species as Near Threatened. The grey reef shark has a streamlined, moderately stout body with a long, blunt snout and large, round eyes.
Like other members of its family, this shark is viviparous, with females giving birth to two to five young on a biennial, annual, or possibly biannual cycle. Their aggressive demeanor enables them to dominate many other shark species on the reef, despite their moderate size. This shark is a pale grayish-brown above and white below, with an obvious white band on the sides extending forward from above the anal fin. There is no ridge between the dorsal fins. Litters of one to six pups are born every other year. One of the most common reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific, it is found as far east as Easter Island and as far west as South Africa. They are caught in many fisheries and are susceptible to local population depletion due to their low reproduction rate and limited dispersal. Like other members of its family, the grey reef shark is viviparous, meaning the mother nourishes her embryos through a placental connection. Later authors moved this species to the genus Carcharhinus. Most blacktip reef sharks are found over reef ledges and sandy flats, though they have also been known to enter brackish and freshwater environments. This species has been responsible for a number of attacks on humans, so should be treated with caution, especially if they begin to display. Newborn sharks are found further inshore and in shallower water than adults, frequently roaming in large groups over areas flooded by high tide. A blacktip reef shark in the Solomon Islands. Each nostril has a flap of skin in front that is expanded into a nipple-shaped lobe. This species is most often seen in shallow water near the drop-offs of coral reefs. Grey reef sharks often do so if they are followed or cornered by divers to indicate they perceive a threat. Like most other members of its genus, the phylogenetic position of the blacktip reef shark remains indeterminate. The blacktip reef shark ( Carcharhinus melanopterus ) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins (especially on the first dorsal fin and its caudal fin ). Its exposed first dorsal fin is a common sight in the region. During the day, these sharks often form groups of five to 20 individuals near coral reef drop-offs, splitting up in the evening as the sharks begin to hunt.
