Blacktip reef shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
Valid name.
- English
- Blacktip reef shark
- Scientific
- Carcharhinus melanopterus
- Dhivehi
- އުރަހަކަޅު މިޔަރުUraha kalhu miyaru
- Group
- Sharks
- Maximum size
- Up to about 1.8 m (usually under 1.6 m)
- Depth and habitat
- Reef flats, lagoons and shallow reef edges, 0 to about 75 m
- IUCN status
- VU · VulnerableVulnerable (VU), assessed 2020
Description
A small, light grey-brown shark with conspicuous black tips on all fins, especially the first dorsal fin and lower tail lobe, set off by a pale band along the flank. It is often seen in very shallow water with its dorsal fin breaking the surface. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans and octopus. Shallow lagoons serve as nursery areas for pups. It is timid and rarely a danger to people, though it may nip at feet in murky water.
In the Maldives
The shark most visitors see in the Maldives: juveniles patrol knee-deep water on lagoon flats and around resort beaches. Protected under the 2010 shark fishing ban. 'Falhu miyaru' means 'lagoon shark'.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Carcharhinus-melanopterus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=877&GenusName=Carcharhinus&SpeciesNam
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/އުރަހަކަޅު_މިޔަރު
- cites.org /sites/default/files/eng/prog/shark/images/Maldives.pdf
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Blacktip_reef_shark_(Carcharhinus_melanopterus)_Moorea.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives, Marine Research Section, Malé (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) (also 'Falhu miyaru'); Thaana from Dhivehi Wikipedia (fish articles derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition). FishBase lists 'Falhu miyaru'.