The blacktip reef shark is named so because the ends of its fins are black, particularly the first dorsal and the caudal. The blacktip reef shark is a species that lives alone or in small groups. It is a strong swimmer, very attractive, shy but unpredictable when aggressive.

This shark usually lives in shallow lagoons and on coral reefs, normally swimming in shallow waters a depths of some 30 cm. It is a carnivore and eats fish, mollusks and crustaceans. It basically feeds at night. Its teeth are narrow, sharp and strongly serrated, designed to eat the reef fish.

It is viviparous and has between 1 and 12 offspring with a gestation that lasts almost a year.

Did you know that the blacktip reef sharks cannot stop swimming? Just like other sharks, their breathing is passive, that is, they need to swim continuously to breathe and if they stop, they can drown.

Conservation status