El Diente (dive site), Las Islas Catalinas, Pacific Coast of
Costa Rica.
Photograph copyright Andy Murch
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SHARKIVE
Common Names: Round stingray.
Latin Name:
Urobatis halleri.
Family:
Urobatidae.
Identification:
Circular disc, no dorsal fin, tail shorter than disc
length, sting present on tail. Dorsum smooth (no tubercles). Colour variable,
may be plain brown or pale base with covering pattern of small dark spots and
underlying dark blotches. Ventrum pale.
Size:
Maximum length 56cm.
Habitat:
Intertidal to 90m on sand or mud sometimes around reefs.
Abundance:
Distribution:
Northern California to Panama.
Behavior:
Nocturnal. Lays motionless during the day. Digs for worms and
crustaceans at night.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous.
Observations:
Photographs:
Santa Catalinas, Costa Rica.
Similar species:
Cortez stingray. Similar but with conspicuous dark
blotches on each side of disc.
Reaction to divers:
Easily approached. moves away only when closely
disturbed.
Diving logistics:
I dove with these rays from a dive boat run by Agua
Rica Dive Shop out of Tamarindo, Costa Rica. The dive sites around Las Islas
Catalinas are also a good place to find schooling Cownose rays, Bulls-eye
electric rays and the
occasional reef whitetip shark . The dive shops
in Playas del Coco (to the north) also run charters to these sites.
Other diving locations submitted by readers: