Blacktip Shark

These sharks are grey in color with a white underbelly, white band across its flank and normally has black tipped fins (hence the name) which tend to fade with age.

Unlike the very similar spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) this shark does not have the black coloration on its anal fin.

This is a large bodied shark and has a long pointed snout together with long gill slits, a large first dorsal fin and by normal standards a large second dorsal.

Growth

The average size of an adult is around 5ft which the males reach after 4-5 years and the females 6-7 years. With an average weight of 40-45lbs at adulthood the expected life span is 12yrs.

Habitat

Although this shark can be found both inshore and offshore this shark is not a true pelagic species.

When scuba diving around Florida, you may find the blacktip shark near river mouths, bays and other estuaries.

You will often come across them when scuba diving coral reef drop offs near deeper waters where they enjoy swimming in depths of 100ft (30m).

Behavior

As you watch this shark moving through the water the first thing you will notice is this is a fast swimming shark which adds to the difficulty of taking one of those underwater photos you were trying to capture!

This is not an aggressive shark and should pose no threat to your scuba diving exploration. It is fascinating to watch this shark move rapidly through and out of the water as it attacks schools of fish near the surface, spinning several times before it re-enters the waters.

Eating Habits

A diet predominately made up of fish such as mullet, herring, jacks, Spanish mackerel and groupers. They will also eat the young of other sharks, and don’t mind eating crustaceans and anything else they can scavenge on the way.

Shark Videos

Scuba diving videos often capture the beauty of sharks as they swim through the water in their unique style.

Here is the opportunity to watch one of these sharks - Carcharhinus limbatus - swimming close to scuba divers who managed to video the event confirming once again that most sharks are not dangerous if you do not threaten them. The video was filmed in The Florida Keys (press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)...