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constantly outdated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark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:
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 nudibranchs. 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.
Identification:
Disc almost circular, tapering towards anterior edge.
Caudal fins rounded with pale margins. Dorsal surface light brown to gray
covered with large round markings. Pattern may be faint or absent. First and
second dorsal fins are of equal size. Spiracle located directly behind eye.
Size:
Maximum length 45cm. Disc width 20cm.
Habitat:
Intertidal to 40m. Areas of sand, mud, and sea grass, sometimes
adjacent to reefs.
Abundance:
Common in Southern Caribbean. Uncommon or absent in remainder
of range.
Distribution:
Western Atlantic from North Carolina to Argentina
Behavior:
Nocturnal. Lays motionless during the day resting on pectoral
fins, partially covered by sand. Forage at night for worms in substrate.
Occasionally eat small snake eels. When threatened this ray can perform an
explosive outside loop, displaying its lighter underbelly and shocking the
predator. This is followed by a swift retreat.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous.
Observations:
Whilst following this ray, I observed it perform an evasive
maneuver in which it rapidly kicked up sand in a plume which suggested it had
shot forward and swum away. In the same instant it span around and came to
rest completely covered in sand directly under my body. It made no attempt to
shock.
Photographs:
Dominica, Carriacou.
Similar species: Cortez
electric ray. This may in fact be the same species which has migrated to the
pacific coast.
Reaction to divers:
Easy to approach with slow movements. Can shock
(about 37 volts max.) if molested but usually swims away.
Dive logistics:
This ray is easily found when traveling over sandy areas
in its range. In Carriacou it was particularly abundant when diving from shore
in 10 to 15ft of water. Tanki's watersports located on the beach can rent
equipment for a shore dive which should also turn up some gold spotted eels,
flying gurnards, and the odd spotted snake eel.
Other diving locations submitted by readers:
References:
Fishbase
Paul Humann - Reef Fish Identification.
Florida Caribbean Bahamas
