Common Blacktip Shark, Carcharhinus limbatus (Müller & Henle 1839)
Other Names: Blacktip Shark, Blacktip Whaler

A Common Blacktip Shark, Carcharhinus limbatus, at Walkers Cay, Bahamas. Source: Albert Kok / Wikimedia Commons. License: Public Domain
Summary:
A dark-grey, bluish-grey or dusky-bronze shark with a white to yellowish-white belly, a dark band along each side to above the pelvic-fin origin, a distinct persistent black spot on the pelvic-fin tips, and black or dusky tips on the dorsal, pectoral, anal and lower lobe of caudal fins that fades with growth.
Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Carcharhinus limbatus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 21 May 2022, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1949
Common Blacktip Shark, Carcharhinus limbatus (Müller & Henle 1839)
More Info
Distribution |
Recorded in Australia from Cape Leeuwin, WA, to Bermagui, NSW. Elsewhere, the species is widespread in warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical waters worldwide. Inhabits inshore waters off beaches, in bays, estuaries, over coral reefs and off river mouths; with with inshore pupping and nursery grounds. |
Feeding |
Feeds mostly on pelagic and benthic fishes, and also preys on small sharks and rays, cephalopods and crustaceans. |
Fisheries |
Frequently taken in commercial and recreational fisheries. The flesh is well-regarded and the fins are highly marketable. |
Conservation |
Common blacktip sharks inhabit inshore waters, making them highly vulnerable to capture in commercial and recreational fisheries. |
Species Citation |
Carcharias (Prionodon) limbatus Müller & Henle, 1839, Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen: 49, pl. 19. Type locality: Martinique Island, West Indies. |
Author |
Dianne J. Bray |
Common Blacktip Shark, Carcharhinus limbatus (Müller & Henle 1839)
References
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Blaber, S.J.M., J.W. Young & M.C. Dunning. 1985. Community structure and zoogeographic affinities of the coastal fishes of the Dampier region of north-western Australia. Aust. J. Mar. Freshwat. Res. 36: 247-266.
Burgess, H. G. & Branstetter, S. 2009. Carcharhinus limbatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2.
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Compagno, L.J.V. & Niem, V.H. 1998. Family Carcharhinidae. pp. 1312-1360 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 2 687-1396 pp.
Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp.
Heupel MR, Hueter RE (2001) Use of an automated acoustic telemetry system to passively track juvenile blacktip shark movements. In: Sibert JR, Nielsen JL (eds) Electronic tagging and tracking in marine fisheries. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands, pp 217–236.
Heupel MR, Hueter RE (2002) The importance of prey density in relation to the movement patterns of juvenile sharks within a coastal nursery area. Marine and Freshwater Research 53: 543–550. Abstract
Heupel MR, Simpfendorfer CA (2002) Estimation of survival and mortality of juvenile blacktip sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus, within a nursery area using telemetry data. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 59: 624–632. Abstract
Heupel MR, Simpfendorfer CA (2005) Quantitative analysis of aggregation behavior in juvenile blacktip sharks. Marine Biology 147: 1239–1249. Abstract
Heupel MR, Simpfendorfer CA, Hueter RE (2004) Estimation of shark home ranges using passive monitoring techniques. Environ Biol Fish 71: 135–142.
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Macbeth, W.G., Vandenberg, M. & Graham, K.J. 2008. Identifying Sharks and Rays; A guide to Commercial Fishers. Sydney : New South Wales Department of Primary Industry 71 pp.
Müller, J. & Henle, F.G.J. 1839. Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen. Berlin : Veit & Co pp. 29-102 pls.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs.