I offer no specific details other than to see if anyone else has knowledge of small groups of blacktips that max out at around 30". This is due to a friend who has studied a small secluded group for many years and has found blacktips that for what ever reason stopped growing to there full capacity. He has began to bring some into the states as well to further his study. I wanted to network with any others who might have knowledge of this or may have found similar area's were this is occuring. Thanks
Blacktips
- Thread starter Mercz
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Black tips in captivity don't stop growing to their full wild length unless they are being housed in poor conditions. Holds true for both Atlantic and Pacific species - though most places won't display Atlantics.
I too would be interested in hearing more about a claimed 30" max for a locality. Atl or Pacific black tips? What time of year and area are they found in?
I too would be interested in hearing more about a claimed 30" max for a locality. Atl or Pacific black tips? What time of year and area are they found in?
Sorry, no details about were they are coming from as I am sure the market for a small blacktip would far exceed the numbers available in their population. I am not here to see them completely consumed from there habitat. I have seen them, as another friend who lives very close to me has started to house some. They are extremely healthy and no evidence of poor water conditions as being a factor in their lack of size.
Interesting. What is he housing them in?
Cool fish, an lfs near me has two of them.
Different sub-species??? Has he observed them in the wild growing only to that size?
Cool fish, an lfs near me has two of them.
Different sub-species??? Has he observed them in the wild growing only to that size?
Tank size/swimming space plays a large roll. I've seen animals stunted alot - even though it would appear they have plenty of space.
How is the study of size being done? I would assume you'd have to tag and track an animal from pup size to adulthood to know it's true growth rate and final adult size.
How is the study of size being done? I would assume you'd have to tag and track an animal from pup size to adulthood to know it's true growth rate and final adult size.
Ok - first off there are several carcharhinid sharks that known as "blacktips". But at present I'm not aware of any species that only gets to about 30" long. It's not to say that requiem sharks can't grow that small - after all there is a couple of Sharpnose species (Rhizoprionodon) that are known max out at about 2.5-3 ft.
As for Blacktips- these are the presently known species.
Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) - is the species most often known to SW Aquarists- both public and Private. This is often the species that most aquarists think of when they say Blacktips. It reachs about 6 ft in length, and is native to the Indo-Pacific region, specifically to rocky and coral reefs.
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) - is the species sometimes called the "Atlantic Balcktip" although it's a global species of Blacktip shark - found in the Atlantic, Pacific & Indian Oceans. This species is known to be an aggressive, and high strung species that usually averages better than 6.5-7 ft in length. However it's very capable of growing to 8-9 ft length.
Australian Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus tilstoni) - this species is native to the Indo-pacific region near northern Australia. It grows to about size that's roughly about the same size as the Blacktip Reef.
Also the Spinner Shark is sometimes mistaken a Blacktip Shark (C. limbatus). But the point is all known "blacktip" sharks tend to grow to about 5-9 ft in length.
The only reasonable explanations that I can think of your friend stating that his working with blacks that stay under 30" - is that maybe your friend has found either a smaller sub-population of a known blacktip or discovered a new species of Blacktip. The other possibility is that your friend is actually just working with Juvenile Blacktips of one of the known species.
As for Blacktips- these are the presently known species.
Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) - is the species most often known to SW Aquarists- both public and Private. This is often the species that most aquarists think of when they say Blacktips. It reachs about 6 ft in length, and is native to the Indo-Pacific region, specifically to rocky and coral reefs.
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) - is the species sometimes called the "Atlantic Balcktip" although it's a global species of Blacktip shark - found in the Atlantic, Pacific & Indian Oceans. This species is known to be an aggressive, and high strung species that usually averages better than 6.5-7 ft in length. However it's very capable of growing to 8-9 ft length.
Australian Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus tilstoni) - this species is native to the Indo-pacific region near northern Australia. It grows to about size that's roughly about the same size as the Blacktip Reef.
Also the Spinner Shark is sometimes mistaken a Blacktip Shark (C. limbatus). But the point is all known "blacktip" sharks tend to grow to about 5-9 ft in length.
The only reasonable explanations that I can think of your friend stating that his working with blacks that stay under 30" - is that maybe your friend has found either a smaller sub-population of a known blacktip or discovered a new species of Blacktip. The other possibility is that your friend is actually just working with Juvenile Blacktips of one of the known species.
All I will say in defense of the research at hand is that this particular group is found in a lagoon completely secluded from open water. Our initial impression is that they have been basically stuck in this lagoon for so long it has in fact stunted there growth. I will go to my friends and obtain a pic of one so that everyone can see it. This group has been studied for years prior to shipping to the states. I initially did not want to post this information due to people like VLDesign who obviously dont read the post, in that I am trying to compair data with others who may have knowledge of other similar groups and not trying to sell them on the open market. I could really care less if someone thinks its BS b/c I am not asking for your opinion or money.
Thanks to those who have actual imput.
Thanks to those who have actual imput.
I have heard similar things referring to actual fossils of secluded islands where they are the same species as found elsewhere but a fraction of the size. I am helping with research on the organisms in the marine lakes of Palau. The marine lakes became isolated and we are looking at the genetic and morphological differences of species between all of the lakes. I would not be surprised at all if this population has been secluded for a while adapted to be smaller in size.
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