Blacktip reef sharks were once abundant on Hawaiian reefs, but are less frequently sighted now. In Hawaiian tradition, some families took this shark as their 'aumakua, or family guardian spirit, feeding them and rarely killing them.

Blacktips feed on smaller reef fishes, as well as on octopus and crustaceans (crabs and lobsters). Their teeth are triangular with serrated edges. Because sharks' teeth are only loosely attached to their jaws, they may lose or break teeth as they feed. But, special tissue in the jaws keeps making sets of teeth, and the new teeth automatically move forward to replace the older ones. The blacktip reef shark's mouth is located on the underside of its head and the jaws fold up and out of the way when the shark is swimming, a design that contributes to their streamlining. When feeding, the jaws open downward and outward, protruding slightly to take in prey.

Celebrate sharks and Shark Week by visiting the Waikiki Aquarium and observing sharks up-close. Visit the Hunters on the Reef exhibit to see the blacktips and a zebra shark.