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Not just Shark Pictures: Elasmodiver contains photos of sharks, skates, rays, and chimaera's from around the world. It began as a simple web based field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter different species of sharks and rays but it has slowly evolved into a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark diving and photography. There are now more than a thousand shark pictures  and sections on shark evolution, biology, and conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a constantly outdated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:

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ELASMODIVER EXPANDED

If you're looking for a broader range of marine life pictures the following links represent a new area that contains pictures on other marine organisms and on marine habitats. This expansion of Elasmodiver is in its first stages but will eventually include pages on everything from sea stars to nudibranches. Creating this portal will take time and for now it consists of a token offering of fish pictures. Please return regularly to enjoy the progress.

FISH PICTURES

MASKED STINGAREE

Photographs copyright Andy Murch

View more Masked Stingaree Pictures in the SHARKIVE

Common Names: Masked stingaree.

Latin Name: Trygonoptera personata

Family: Urolophidae

Identification: Disc vaguely rhomboid with mildly pointed snout. Dorsum pale - yellow brown or gray with dark mask around and between eyes and second dark patch at centre of back. Tail pale with dark tip and moderately sized dorsal fin anterior to spine.

Size: Maximum length at least 47cm.

Habitat: Observed on sand near or under rocky reefs and sea grass flats to at least 70m.

Abundance and distribution: Western Australia, from Bunbury north to Shark Bay.

Behavior:

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous.

Observations:

Photographs: Rottnest Island, Western Australia.

Similar species: Striped stingaree: distinguished by darker dorsum with parallel dark stripes extending down back and tail

Reaction to divers: Fairly easily approached with slow movements.

Diving logistics: This species is often encountered by divers at Rottnest Island. Malabu Divers on the island can organize charters. Divers staying on the island can attempt to locate this stingaree on shore dives - follow the sand line at the edge of reefs for the best chance of an encounter. Perth Diving Academy on the mainland also run charters to Rottnest at the weekend and weekdays during the holiday season.

Other diving locations submitted by readers:

References and further reading:

Sharks and Rays of Australia. Peter Last. CSIRO.

Sharks and Rays - Elasmobranch Guide of the World. Ralf M. Hennemann. IKAN.

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