Round Stingray Urobatis halleri These smaller stingrays have an almost circular pectoral disc, with a slightly rounded point at the snout, and a short tail that lacks dorsal fins but does have a small caudal (tail) fin, which is unusual for rays. It also has a venomous spine halfway down its
Danger to Humans Beach near Point Conception, California
Lemon Shark Negaprion brevirostris The lemon shark is easily recognized for its two, equally-sized dorsal fins and its yellow-brown to olive color- an ideal camouflage against the sandy in-shore areas they prefer to forage in. Lemon sharks average between 8 to 10 feet long as adults, but are
Danger to Humans Lemon sharks represent little threat
Cobia Rachycentron canadum This torpedo-shaped fish has a long, pointed face and slightly depressed head that swoops back to a row of spines spaced out in front of its dorsal fin. With triangular, curved fins and crescent tail, as well as dark olive-brown on top and silver grey below colorin
Danger to Humans There are 7-9 dorsal spines, each
Atlantic Stingray Dasyatis sabina These smaller stingrays grow to around 12 to 14 inches wide, and are brown to yellowish-brown on tip, and whitish underneath. They are oval with long, pointed snouts, appearing almost spade-shaped. They have long venomous spines on their tails, but they are
Danger to Humans Stingrays do not attack people, however
Gag Grouper Mycteroperca microlepis This oblong fish has small eyes over a pointed snout, and a continuous dorsal fin to a square caudal fin. Their colors vary by age and gender, but they range from gray to light brown with darker blotches or squiggles, giving it a faint marble pattern, or d
Danger to Humans There have been reported cases of
Indian River Lagoon, on Florida’s east coast, has historically served as habitat for an abundance of marine life. But human pressures have changed all that, and Florida Museum researchers now are working to understand the population dynamics of species that still inhabit the lagoon while searching f
and carefully, and sharks aren’t the only potential danger
With toothlike spines and barbs, thorny skates are just as sharp as their name suggests. But these shark relatives are far more mysterious than they first appear. Scientists at the Florida Museum of Natural History are using new genetic sequencing technology to understand why current management e
skates lack stinging barbs and spines and pose no danger
Greenland Shark Somniosus microcephalus This large, heavy-set shark grows to an average 8-14 feet long but can get to be 24 feet. It has a short, rounded snout, small eyes, and relatively small dorsal fins. Although it is an apex predator, it is a slow swimmer, and likely ambushes its prey a
Danger to Humans According to the International Shark
Crevalle Jack Caranx hippos This large fish is wonderfully abundant in the Atlantic Ocean, and popular resource for both commercial and sports fishers alike. The juvenile is striped vertically along its sides, but as it matures, it changes to an even greenish-bluish above and silver or golde
Danger to Humans There have been some reports of ciguatera
Green Moray Gymnothorax funebris One of the largest of the morays, the green moray is often found at 6 feet long but can reach 8 feet and 65 pounds. Although it is actually dark grey-brown, it is covered in a thick yellow mucus, giving it its green coloring and protecting it from parasites a
Danger to Humans Large green morays are potentially
