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Related FAQs: Blacktip Reef Sharks, Sharks in General, Sharks 2, Sharks 3, Shark
Systems 1, Shark Systems 2, Shark Systems 3, Shark Systems 4, Shark
Identification, Shark Compatibility, Shark Behavior, Selection, Shark Selection
2, Feeding, Diseases,  Shark Disease/Health 2, Shark, Ray Eggs ,  Coldwater
Sharks, Coldwater Sharks 2, Leopard Sharks, Heterodontus, Nurse Sharks, Moving
Sharks, 

Related Articles: Sharks for Aquariums?, Sharks In My Living Room?, Coldwater
Sharks,  Leopard Sharks, Port Jackson Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Marine Batoids
(Rays, Skates), Freshwater Stingrays, Moving Sharks, 

/The Conscientious Marine Aquarist

The Blacktip (Reef) Shark, Carcharhinus melanopterus. For The Home Aquarium?



Bob Fenner

A three footer, intertidal, Malaysia

    Amongst the "real shark" looking sharks offered in the aquarium trade (other
than those Nurse Sharks, Leopards, Epaulettes, Bamboo, Catsharks... that spend
so much time "just sitting on the bottom", is the Requiem Shark (family
Carcharhinidae) member Carcharhinus melanopterus (most often sold as the
Blacktip Shark, though this is another species... C. limbatus.)

    Unfortunately, this shark is entirely unsuitable for home aquarium use,
requiring a pool-sized enclosure (thousands of gallons) to do well. Though folks
can/do keep small specimens of the Blacktip Reef Shark, aka the Reef Blacktip
Shark in much smaller systems for a time, invariably these are short term
successes, with the specimens almost always dying "mysteriously", crashing into
the tanks side, or jumping out.

    As with all the other forty nine species of Requiem Sharks, you're
encouraged to go visit them in the ocean or Public Aquariums.

Range:

    Widely distributed in the tropical Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea, along the
eastern African Coast over to Hawai'i down to the Tuamotu Islands. Oh, and in
the Mediterranean by way of the Suez Canal.

Size:

    Mostly very small juveniles are offered in the trade, in the fifteen to
eighteen inch total length range. This species grows to about six feet total
length... not to be confused with that "other" Blacktip Shark. Carcharhinus
limbatus tops out at more than ten feet.

Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy & Gaimard 1824), the Blacktip Reef Shark.
Indo-West to Central Pacific, including the Red Sea. To six feet in length.
Litters of  2 to 5 pups. Offered in the aquarium trade regrettably all too
often. Requires very large systems. Public Aquarium photo at right, an eighteen
inch juvenile in the Maldives in one foot of water along an island shore, a
three footer in Pulau Redang, Malaysia, and an adult at six feet in French
Polynesia..





Selection:



    As sharks go, particularly the "active shark-looking types", the Reef
Blacktip ships quite well... For such active animals, as you might guess, they
command a high price due to the large shipping containers, water weight involved
in their transport. 

    If you're involved in the outright purchase of these animals look for full,
regular locomotion, clear smooth skin (no white patches or bloody marks. Look
especially at the base of the fins for the latter.

Environmental: Conditions

Habitat

    As mentioned over and over, a very large living space is needed to keep
constantly moving shark species. In the wild a typical foraging area for this
species is one square mile. Shape of the system is important, and something with
more rounded corners (versus square) is a definite plus. With and w/o
provocation these sharks will at times take off at "lightning speed" crashing
into holding system walls. Best if these are glancing blows. 


Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on
"framed" images to go to the larger size.
The all-too common result of keeping this and other free-roaming shark species
in too small, rectangular systems... This one has banged its snout, is
developing a tumorous growth.



    Rockwork on the bottom and/or back is a plus, giving other likely tankmates
places to hide/be. Do leave the upper area and a good part of the bottom open
free and clear however as carcharhinids need room to move... for foraging,
respiration and being themselves. 



    A heavy, tight-fitting cover for their enclosures is needed as these sharks
can launch themselves free of the water... and how. They will jump out given the
opportunity. 

Behavior

Territoriality:

    Reef Blacktip Sharks of different size can/will bite, eat one another if
very hungry, but practically speaking, they can be placed together with relative
impunity. 

Predator Prey Relations:

    On the reef, Carcharhinus melanopterus principally feeds on other fishes of
many types (including triggerfishes, surgeonfishes, wrasses...), then in
preponderance of diet, cephalopods (squid, octopus), crustaceans, and a large
percentage of sea snakes in some parts in the wild. It is likely safe to state
that any edible tankmate/portion of a captive system is game for their
consumption.

Collection

    These sharks are collected in a few "standard" ways and a few that are quite
novel. There are accounts of a "shark hunting dog" (see bibliography below), the
usual barbless baited hook... and an occasional "lucky catch" by tropical
collectors using barrier nets et al. One such circumstance was related to me by
a friend/collector, Eric Rood that occurred during his time in Hawai'i. A fence,
barrier net had been placed and a group of tangs driven into it for hand-netting
when a small Blacktip Reef Shark "hit the net" full speed coming from behind.
Collecting divers are always on guard for removing ("pushing" them over the top,
float line) such marauding non-prey as triggerfishes, parrotfishes... lest these
non-invitees chew  a hole through their barrier nets, making a way for the
intended catch to escape, and ending the days fishing. Eric "dropped everything"
and once he realized what it was, carefully grabbed the shark (by hand, as it is
easy to damage these fishes with netting) and placed it in his holding
container). A good catch, as these sharks fetch high collectors pay.



    In aquariums care must be taken not to "spook" captive sharks. What is
called for are slow, deliberate motions, multiple nets/friends, damp towels to
hold onto, and if necessary, lift the specimen/s from the water. Remember,
carcharhinids are faster than you'll ever be. The tale about striking them on
the nose (same family includes the "Great White", "Tiger"...) to avoid predation
are myths. 

Foods/Feeding/Nutrition

    Regularly scheduled (same time, place, types of foods) of small fishes,
squid (though messy, do clean, offer just the mantles) in an upper part of the
tank (not by hand, use tongs) are advised. Daily amounts are best in my opinion,
experience, for such small sharks. Some keepers, and all public aquariums that
I'm aware of, insert vitamin supplements into these foods ahead of offering.

Disease Prevention/Treatment

    Healthy Blacktip Reef Sharks tend to stay that way, or be dead with little
notice. The species is susceptible to cryptocaryon if very stressed, exposed to
a going hyperinfection, and a fluke (monogenetic trematode), Dermophthirius
melanopteri, the causative organism for the white-patch syndrome mentioned under
"selection". The latter is easily treated with organo-phosphates like Trichlor,
Neguvon, masoten, dylox, DTHP... (all the same chemical).

Conclusion:

    This common small carcharhinid is often seen in the wild, despite its
popular use as a food fish. When on a dive adventure vacation, ask the local
folks about the "little tan shark with black tipped fins". If it can be located
in the area, they will know where to find it. Very small young "hang out"
feeding and avoiding predators in the shallows in the morning and evening.

    Yes, I've seen this species kept in captivity, in public and private
settings. It can be done, but the vast majority of trials result in short lived,
traumatized owners and dead sharks. Try a more suitable species if so inclined
to shark keeping. 



Bibliography/Further Reading:

Sharks and Rays in Aquariums

Gaining an understanding of how to keep these fishes in captive saltwater
systems   

New Print and eBook on Amazon: Available here

 by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Axelrod, H.R. 1975. Something About Sharks. T.F.H. 3/75.



Fenner, Robert. 1988. Pond Parasite Control with DTHP. Rinko (Japan), 2/88, FAMA
11/89.

Fenner, Robert. 1996. Shark attack! TFH 5/96.

Fenner, Robert. 1999. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Microcosm, VT. 432pp.

Glodek, Garrett A. 1992. Shark Biology Pts I & II, FAMA 3, 4/92.

Kerstitch, Alex. 1984. The birth of a shark. FAMA 5/84.

Michael, Scott W. 1986. Sharks for Your Saltwater Tank. Pt I, II, FAMA 10, 11/86

Michael, Scott W. 1990. Sharks and rays in the home aquarium, parts 1,2. AFM
10,11/90.

Michael, Scott. 2001. Aquarium Sharks & Rays. An Essential Guide to Their
Selection, Keeping and Natural History. Microcosm/TFH New Jersey. 256pp.

Nelson, Joseph S. 1994. Fishes of The World. 3rd Ed. John Wiley & Sons, NY & the
World.

Perrine, Doug. 1994. Shark Fishing. Scuba Times. 12/94.



Roth, Allan. 1986. Sharks: Recent Advances in Captive Biology. FAMA, 5/86.

Scopes, Jack. 1994. Keeping Sharks: What You Need To Know. FAMA 12/94.

Spencer, Gary A. 1976. Living Room Sharks. Marine Aquarist 7:4(76).

Stevens, Jane E. 1995. The delicate art of shark keeping. Sea Frontiers, Spring
95.

Wisner, Martin. 1987. Collecting and transporting Black Tip Reef Sharks. FAMA
10/87







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