Lesser Electric Ray Narcine bancroftii Like the name suggests, this is one of the rays that can create an electric shock from 14 to 37 volts, from specialized organs that run along their bodies. These small rays have a circular pectoral disc, with a stout tail that as two small dorsal fins a
Danger to Humans Lesser electric rays have been know
Bullnose Ray Myliobatis freminvillii These smaller rays rarely grow more than 3 feet wide, their sharply angular pectoral discs wider than their bodies are long. Their heads protrude distinctly from their find space, giving them a duck-billed look in profile. Ranging from chocolate to gray o
Danger to Humans The bullnose ray is harmless to humans
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary The National Marine Sanctuaries Act of 1972 authorized the designation and management of marine environments with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archaeological, or educat
endangered species: a species in danger of becoming
Dog Snapper Lutjanus jocu This snapper earned its name from the long canine teeth that show even when its mouth is closed. They are sturdy almond-shaped fish that are usually olive-green on top, fading to coppery pale underneath, and they have a distinct white triangular bar under their eyes
Danger to Humans Although they are commercially fished
Spiny Butterfly Ray Gymnura altavela These broad, flat diamond-shaped rays are much wider than they are long, with a short tail that has one or more serrated spine at the base. They are generally dark brown, sometimes with pale-rimmed dark spots or blotches. They have been reported at almost
Danger to Humans The spiny butterfly ray is harmless
Bignose Shark Carcharhinus altimus This plain grey shark has a broad, bluntly pointed snout with prominent nostril flaps, hence its name. It mostly lives off shore, eating bony fish and other elasmobranch (smaller sharks and rays) from near the sea floor. Because of its deep water habitat, i
Danger to Humans Although this shark is large, it poses
Atlantic Guitarfish Rhinobatos lentiginosus Guitarfish look somewhere between a shark and a ray, with the dorsal and caudal fins on the back half of its tubular body, and a narrow pectoral disc at its head. The Atlantic guitarfish is one of the smallest, growing to almost 30 inches, and gray
Danger to Humans The Atlantic guitarfish is considered
Bar Jack Caranx ruber The bar jack is a classically almond-shaped silvery fish with greyish-blue tints to it. It looks like other jacks, but gets its name from the distinguishing dark bar that runs down its back and into its caudal fin (tail), usually accompanied by a bright blue stripe. The
Danger to Humans The majority of cases of ciguatera
Doctorfish 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 hid
Danger to Humans An unwary human who tries to handle
Yellowtail Snapper Lutjanus chrysurus This common snapper prefers schooling in small groups in and around reefs in the Western Atlantic. It has a distinct yellow lateral line that starts off narrow near the eye and widens as it reaches the forked, yellow caudal fin. It has blue-ish or olive
Danger to Humans There have been reports of ciguatera
