Black Tip Reef Shark

My species/animal is a fish — Black Tip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) — a semi-aggressive species that is not reef-safe, admired for its sleek, streamlined body, distinctive black tips on fins, and impressive size.

Males typically are smaller and develop claspers near the pelvic fins, while females/juveniles tend to be larger and more robust, with juveniles having more pronounced black markings. They reach about 60–70 inches in length (5 to nearly 6 feet) and should be housed in aquariums of at least 1000 gallons or more due to their size and active swimming needs.

Provide a large open swimming space with minimal décor, some live rock for water quality benefits, and a secure lid, with stable water parameters (salinity ~1.020–1.025, temp ~72–79°F, pH ~8.1–8.4), and a secure lid since they are prone to jumping.

Diet should consist of a varied diet of meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, small fish, and other marine-based proteins, and with proper care this fish makes a standout and impressive addition to a very large, specialized aquarium.

International Aquatics Quarantine & Guarantee: All fish are checked by marine vets, given a formalin bath, and held for 14 days in copper-treated systems. We feed Selcon-soaked food with Kanaplex and Metroplex during quarantine. Unless marked, all livestock comes with our 15-Day Guarantee. You will receive a video of your fish eating before shipment. On request, we also send photos/videos after arrival at IA. Some species are import-to-order (3-10 business days). Many common species are already cleared or near the end of QT.

Several species will be import-to-order and may take anywhere from 3-10 business days to secure. Once your fish is secured, you will be notified, and the quarantine process will then begin.