 The interrelationships between them have not been fully resolved, but available data suggest that "C. tilstoni" and "C. limbatus" are not the most closely related species within the clade despite their similarity.Physically, the Australian blacktip shark can only reliably be distinguished from the common blacktip shark by the number of vertebrae (174–182 total, 84–91 before the tail in "C. tilstoni", 182–203 total, 94–102 before the tail in "C. limbatus").It has a moderately robust, spindle-shaped body and a long, pointed snout.