---
title: "Blacktip Reef Shark"
description: "Carcharhinus melanopterus — Pesci. The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, which can be easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins (especially on the first dorsal fin and its caudal fin)."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/it/animal/blacktip-reef-shark
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Blacktip Reef Shark

> Carcharhinus melanopterus — Pesci. The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, which can be easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins (especially on the first dorsal fin and its caudal fin).

- Scientific name: *Carcharhinus melanopterus*
- Category: `fish` (Pesci)
- Habitats: `sea` (Mare e costa)
- iNaturalist observations: 4772
- Wikidata: [Q726384](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q726384)
- iNaturalist taxon: [67964](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/67964)

## Names

- en: Blacktip Reef Shark
- de: Schwarzspitzen-Riffhai
- es: Tiburón Punta Negra
- fr: Requin pointe noire
- nl: Zwartpuntrifhaai
- pt: Tubarão-de-pontas-negras-do-recife

## Countries with the most observations

PF (772), MV (735), AU (578), ID (508), TH (190), FJ (107), MY (105), SB (103), GU (75), PH (48), PW (47), SG (42)

## Summary

The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, which can be easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins (especially on the first dorsal fin and its caudal fin). Among the most abundant sharks inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, this species prefers shallow, inshore waters. Its exposed first dorsal fin is a common sight in the region. The blacktip reef shark is usually found over reef ledges and sandy flats, though it has also been known to enter brackish and freshwater environments. It typically attains…

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacktip_reef_shark

## Photo

![Blacktip Reef Shark](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/blacktip-reef-shark/medium.jpg)

Photo: steve b · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/349722160

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/blacktip-reef-shark?lang=it` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).