Marine Life

Blacktip reef shark

Uraha kalhu miyaru, Falhu miyaru

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Carcharhinus melanopterus is a shallow water species, commonly seen by snorkelers and beachwalkers, and more frequently taken by gill nets set in lagoons than other shark species. In the Pacific, there have been some cases of attacks on people wading in shallows, with one individual taken by R.V. “Farumas” near K. Ihuru.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 1.8 m
color: Pale yellow brown. Fins with black tips. A conspicuous pale band on flank.
order: Carcharhiniformes
family: Carcharhinidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/carcharhinus-melanopterus.png
habitat and biology: This species is found inshore on the continental and insular shelves and typically prefers shallow water around coral reefs at depths of 30 meters or less. It feeds on small fish and cephalopods and is viviparous, meaning that it gives birth to live young. It has a yolksac placenta, which provides nourishment to the developing embryos, and typically produces litters of 2 to 4 young, with 4 being the most common.
distinctive characters: The snout is short and rounded, the teeth in the upper jaw are serrated with narrow angled points, the second dorsal fin is high with its base being less than twice its height, and there is no ridge between the dorsal fins.