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Only a few of Hawaii's two dozen species of sharks are featured in this 35,000 gallon exhibit
along with other hunters on the reef. The blacktip reef shark is easily recognized - look for the
jet-black marking on the tip of the fin on its back. The blacktip reef shark is relatively small
reaching a maximum length of only 6'.
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Blacktip reef sharks usually stay clear of people - unless a
diver is carrying speared fish. This species inhabits shallow reefs throughout the tropical Pacific
and Hawai'i, and can often be seen with the black tip of its dorsal fin projecting from the water.
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Sharks are not the only hunters on coral reefs. Jacks, or "trevally", are among the largest
and most common reef predators. Locally, they are known by their Hawaiian names: "ulua" for the
adults and "papio" for the young. The white jack, or ulua aukea, is the largest species reaching
a length of five feet and weights of over one hundred pounds. Jacks are voracious predators
and are most active just after sunset when they feed on reef fish.
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Sharks and jacks are both fishes, but spend a few minutes comparing them and see how different
they are from each other. Look at the shape of the fins. The shark's pectoral fins stick out
from its sides like the wings of an airplane, and in fact they function much the same way providing
"lift" as the shark swims. Notice, too, how different shark's and jack's tails are. And internally,
sharks have lightweight skeletons made of cartilage much like the material in our ears. Jacks
have skeletons made of hard mineralized bone similar to our own. These hunters on the reef are
truly among the most magnificent animals in the sea.
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