Histrio histrio This odd fish is named after the sargassum sea grass beds it camouflages itself in. The color can change rapidly to match its surroundings. It is a voracious hunter and will eat other sargassumfish. Sitting very still, the sargassumfish ‚fishes‘ with its rod-like illium topped wit
Danger to Humans There have been reports of ciguatera poisoning from dealing with
Regalecus glesne This unusual fish is possibly a source for sea monster legends as its ribbon-like body can grow to 36 feet long in some cases. The long, flat, tapering body is reflective silver with a dorsal fin running the length of it that it uses to swim and turn with. Its abrupt, slightly co
Danger to Humans A close relative of the oarfish, the streamer fish (Agrostichthys
Mobula hypostoma This smaller eagle ray looks like its cousins, with its diamond-shaped pectoral disc that is twice as wide as it is long, and its dark gray black top and ivory white underside. But the Atlantic devil ray is smaller, growing to only about 48 inches wide, and its long tail lacks a
Danger to Humans Rays in general are considered harmless and inoffensive.
Taeniura lymma This smaller ray (12 to 14 inches across) has an oval pectoral disc that is usually yellow to brown to olive-green and scattered with blue spots on top, and white underneath. It looks a lot like the bluespotted stingray, but this ray is much rounder and has a noticeably thicker tai
Danger to Humans Bluespotted ribbontail rays are often shy, swimming away when approached
Acanthurus chirurgus This pancake-shaped reef fish is blue-gray to brown colored with thin, dark bars down its sides. It is sometimes offered as a fresh catch locally, but can cause ciguatera poisoning in humans. Handle with care during an encounter because of the sharp spines hidden in the c
Danger to Humans An unwary human who tries to handle the doctorfish risks the chances
Myliobatis aquila Although it is considered harmless to humans, this ray should be handled carefully because of the sharp spine at the base of its very long tail. It has a diamond-shaped pectoral disc that is much wider than long, with trailing pointed fins, usually a dark coppery to blackish on
Danger to Humans This ray is considered harmless to humans, however care must be
Parmaturus xaniurus This small, soft-bodied shark lives in deep water along the Eastern Pacific so it has larger eyes for low light, and larger gills for lower oxygen levels. It is slender and gray-brown, with lobed fins set further back on its body, and it rarely grows longer than 21 inches long
Danger to Humans The filetail catshark is considered harmless to humans due to its
Haploblepharus edwardsii This long, slender catshark prefers deeper cold waters off of coastal South Africa where it lies sedentary on the seafloor and scavenges crustaceans, polychaetes and small fishes. It is a sandy brown, with dark-outlined reddish saddles and dark and white spots, providing
Danger to Humans The puffadder shyshark poses little threat to humans due to its
Myliobatis californica The bat ray is named for the wide, angular shape of its pectoral disc, with trailing ‚wing‘ tips and dark brown to black coloring on top. It has a whip-like tail twice the length of its body, with a venomous spine at the base, and distinctly protruding head and large eyes.
Danger to Humans As a non-aggressive marine animal, the bat ray poses little threat
The sweet smells of spring fill the air as more and more people head to parks and playgrounds to enjoy the weather. While the air grows warmer and the promise of summer quickly approaches, picnic-goers and adventure-seekers head outdoors, facing the risks that come with it – from sunburns and allerg
Life on Earth Unique dove species is the dodo of the Caribbean and in similar danger
