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IUCN status: VulnerableBlacktip Reef Shark at a glance
The Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a marine animal in the family Carcharhinidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Bali. Diet: mainly a fish-eater (piscivore), also crustaceans and cephalopods; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable.
| Scientific name | Carcharhinus melanopterus |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Hiu karang sirip hitam |
| Group | Marine |
| Family | Carcharhinidae |
| Observation records | West Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Bali |
| Taxonomic group | Carcharhiniformes |
| GBIF records | 394 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — mainly a fish-eater (piscivore), also crustaceans and cephalopods · FishBase |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · FishBase |
| Venom or poison | Not venomous, but can cause poisoning if eaten · FishBase: Carcharhinus melanopterus species summary |
| Active | Nocturnal (active at night) — Activity peaks in the early evening just after dusk and is lowest by day. · Papastamatiou et al. 2015, Drivers of Daily Routines in an Ectothermic Marine Predator: Hunt Warm, Rest Warmer? PLOS ONE (PMC4489509) |
In this guide (12)
What is the Blacktip Reef Shark?
Blacktip Reef Shark refers to Carcharhinus melanopterus, in the genus Carcharhinus, family Carcharhinidae, and order Carcharhiniformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.
What is known about the Blacktip Reef Shark?
The blacktip reef shark has dark tips on several fins, especially the first dorsal fin; it differs from the whitetip reef shark.
Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.
Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗
How many Indonesian records name the Blacktip Reef Shark?
When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 394 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
Where were observations reported?
Place labels appearing in the results include West Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Bali. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
How can you observe the Blacktip Reef Shark?
In the water, keep space, do not chase or touch, and avoid blocking the animal’s route. Record place and date; photographs cannot estimate how many individuals live throughout a sea area. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.
Explore related animals
To explore this group further, compare Blacktip Reef Shark with Whitetip Reef Shark, Bluespotted Fantail Ray, Tasselled Wobbegong. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.
Scientific classification of the Blacktip Reef Shark
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Carcharhiniformes |
| Family | Carcharhinidae |
| Genus | Carcharhinus |
| Species | Carcharhinus melanopterus |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Blacktip Reef Shark
What is the scientific name of the Blacktip Reef Shark?
The scientific name of the Blacktip Reef Shark is Carcharhinus melanopterus, in the family Carcharhinidae and the order Carcharhiniformes. In Indonesian it is called Hiu karang sirip hitam.
What kind of animal is the Blacktip Reef Shark?
The Blacktip Reef Shark is a marine animal in the family Carcharhinidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a mainly a fish-eater (piscivore), also crustaceans and cephalopods.
Where does the Blacktip Reef Shark live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the Blacktip Reef Shark summarised in this guide mainly come from West Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Bali. That list is not a complete range map.
What does the Blacktip Reef Shark eat?
The Blacktip Reef Shark is a mainly a fish-eater (piscivore), also crustaceans and cephalopods. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: FishBase.
How does the Blacktip Reef Shark reproduce?
The Blacktip Reef Shark reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Placental viviparity: 2–4 pups are born after about 8–9 months' gestation. Source: FishBase.
Is the Blacktip Reef Shark poisonous?
Only if eaten. Not venomous, but it can bite people in shallow water and has been reported to cause poisoning when eaten. Source: FishBase: Carcharhinus melanopterus species summary.
Do not catch, handle or disturb wild animals. If bitten, stung or exposed to its toxins, go to the nearest health facility straight away.
Is the Blacktip Reef Shark nocturnal?
The cited source records the Blacktip Reef Shark as nocturnal (active at night). Activity peaks in the early evening just after dusk and is lowest by day. Source: Papastamatiou et al. 2015, Drivers of Daily Routines in an Ectothermic Marine Predator: Hunt Warm, Rest Warmer? PLOS ONE (PMC4489509).
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the Blacktip Reef Shark?
Scientific classification of the Blacktip Reef Shark: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Chondrichthyes, order Carcharhiniformes, family Carcharhinidae, genus Carcharhinus, species Carcharhinus melanopterus.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Blacktip Reef Shark endangered?
Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the Blacktip Reef Shark is listed as Vulnerable: it is considered to face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Blacktip Reef Shark is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
- GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
- iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
- Species account — background reading ↗
- FishBase ↗
- Papastamatiou et al. 2015, Drivers of Daily Routines in an Ectothermic Marine Predator: Hunt Warm, Rest Warmer? PLOS ONE (PMC4489509) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
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Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/carcharhinus-melanopterus/