Carcharhinus plumbeus This brownish-gray shark has a recognizably large and triangular dorsal fin and somewhat long pectoral fins. It averages 6 feet long and about 110-150 lbs. True to its name, this shark prefers the sandy bottoms of coastal areas, and is known for seasonal migration like many
Danger to Humans Due to its preference for smaller prey and its tendency to avoid
Hexanchus griseus This large, deepwater shark is an example of significantly more primitive species found only as fossils. It has a broad, flat head, large green eyes, and a small, single dorsal fin far along its back. Average length is 15 to 16 feet long, and it is gray to olive to brown in colo
Danger to Humans This shark has not been reported to attack people without being
Rhinoptera bonasus This unique ray is dark brown to golden brown on top, and white below, with a stout body and triangular ‚wings‘. The distinct lobes on the front edge give it the name cownose, and the long sturdy tail has one or two serrated spines with mild venom. Their tile-like teeth are ide
Danger to Humans Spine of the cownose ray.
Coryphaena hippurus The dolphinfish is also often called mahi-mahi, and not at all related to the marine mammal dolphins. This colorful, distinct fish has a long body and a blunt face, with a forked caudal fin (tail), and a dorsal fin that runs the length of its body. It is brightly colored, most
Danger to Humans There have been reports of ciguatera poisoning from human consumption
Squalus acanthias This long, slender dogfish has a pointed snout, large eyes, and spines in front of its two dorsal fins. It is a brownish slate color, fading to a pale underbelly, with rows of white spots down its upper body that fade with age. These migratory, schooling sharks spend winters in
Danger to Humans In general, the spiny dogfish poses little if any threat to humans
Sphyrna mokarran The great hammerhead is the largest of the hammerheads in the family Sphyrnidae. The “hammer head”, or cephalophoil, is straight and square relative to the major axis of the body. The body is stout and classically shark-shaped with a markedly tall, curved, first dorsal fin. T
fight, they tire quickly and are some of the more physiologically fragile species Danger
Carcharhinus leucas These large stout sharks are found in both salt and fresh water. They have been recorded in rivers hundreds of miles from the sea but are most commonly found in marine, estuarine environments close to shore (Simpfendorfer and Burgess 2009). Bull sharks can grow to a total
sharks in the aquarium industry has grown substantially over the past 20 years Danger
Megalops atlanticus These long fish have slightly upturned faces and soft, lobed fins, and they can grow to more than 8 feet long and over 350 pounds. From above they appear dark blue or greenish black, or even brassy if they’ve been in inland waters, but they are recognizable for their very shin
Danger to Humans Though tarpon usually spook easily and show extreme wariness when
Isurus oxyrinchus The shortfin mako is considered the fastest shark in the world, able to reach burst swimming speeds of up to 43 mph (70 km h-1) (Diez et al. 2015). This classically shaped shark is hydrodynamically efficient with a pointed snout, triangular dorsal fin and large and a crescen
Danger to Humans Although an oceanic species, the shortfin mako’s power and speed
Aetobatus narinari These rays have a very wide diamond-shaped pectoral disc that can reach over 9 feet wide, and is a dramatic dark color scattered with light spots or rings. It can grow to over 8 feet long, and when including the incredibly long whip-like tail, it has been measured at over 16 fe
Danger to Humans Generally a shy species, spotted eagle rays are wary of divers and
