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Updated 4/5/2020

Rays & Skates

Rays and skates are cartilaginous fishes with highly developed pectoral fins blended into the body forming what is known as the disc.  Depending on the family, the disc is designed for sustained cruising or resting comfortably on the seafloor and their feeding habits reflect the primary habitat.  Mantas and Mobulas filter-feed upon zooplankton in the water column while typical bottom-feeders root for buried shellfish.  Electric Rays stun fish by swimming above them to deliver a powerful shock created by specialized muscles under the disc.  Some species defend themselves with venomous spines at the base of the tail.

 

CIRCUM-SUBTROPICAL / HAWAII

Bathytoshia lata

BROWN STINGRAY

 

 


INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Manta alfredi

REEF MANTA RAY

 

Aetobatus ocellatus

SPOTTED EAGLE RAY

 

 


INDO-PACIFIC

Taeniura lymma

BLUE-SPOTTED RAY

 

Neotrygon kuhlii

BLUE-SPOTTED STINGRAY

 

 


EASTERN PACIFIC

Mobula thurstoni

SMOOTHTAIL MOBULA RAY

 

Urobatis halleri

ROUND STINGRAY

 

Platyrhinoidis triseriata

THORNBACK GUITARFISH

 

 

WESTERN ATLANTIC

Hypanus americanus

SOUTHERN STINGRAY

 

Himantura schmardae

CARIBBEAN WHIPTAIL RAY

 

Aetobatus narinari

WHITESPOTTED EAGLE RAY