A-Z Index

BLACKTIP SHARK

Carcharhinus limbatus

SIZE

To about 6.5 ft (2m).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

First and second dorsal fins, pectoral fins, and lower lobe of caudal fin black-tipped (black markings may fade in adults; may be indistinct in juveniles)
Anal fin white
First dorsal fin fairly large with short free tip, originating slightly over or behind insertion of pectoral fins along inner margin, apex pointed
Color dark gray, bluish-gray, to dusky bronze above, with light, conspicuous wedge-shaped band or Z-shaped line on sides beginning near pectoral fins, gradually widening rearward to pelvic fins to merge with white on belly
No interdorsal ridge

DISTRIBUTION

MA to Brazil, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Rare north of DE

HABITAT

Shallow coastal and continental shelf waters; surface offshore. Common near river mouths, bays, and estuaries.

SIMILAR SPECIES

Sandbar shark, bignose shark, and silky shark have interdorsal ridges. Finetooth shark has unmarked fins. Spinner shark, most difficult to distinguish, has fairly small first dorsal fin originating at or just behind free tips of pectoral fins, black-tipped anal fin in specimens > 2.6 ft (0.8m). Bull sharkBull shark has shorter snout, first dorsal fin rearward sloping; fins not usually black-tipped.