Blacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
Sighting evidence at Gunung Api Lava Flows, Banda Sea
Photo: Poseidon’s Adventure · CC BY-NC
Blacktip reef sharks patrol the shallow lava ledges around Gunung Api's coastline, hunting in the surge zone where disoriented reef fish make easy prey. Their preference for shallow reef environments makes them one of the most commonly encountered sharks in the Banda Sea and they play a key role in maintaining reef fish community balance by selectively targeting weakened or injured individuals. Their tolerance for the volcanic substrate — patrolling both pristine and pioneer reef sections equally — suggests highly flexible habitat use.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Blacktip Reef Shark is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.