RAYS

Rays are instantly distinguishable as their pectoral fins are joined onto the head and form a broad skirt around the body. They have a cartilaginous skeleton like the sharks, but have no dorsal fins and their mouth parts are on the underside.

COMMON STINGRAY

Dasyatis pastinaca

Widely distributed but quite rare, the Common Stingray, growing to 60cm (2ft), is found locally in most areas of the region. It prefers a sandy bottom and quite often lives near the base of cliffs. Ecology: Described from Ancient Greek times, it has one or more barbed spines at the base of its tail, which can be whipped forward and plunged into a predator in a purely defensive posture.

HONEYCOMB WHIPRAY

Himantura uarnak

A Lessepsian migrant through the Red Sea, this large ray is steadily spreading through the Mediterranean. Ecology: This species can grow to 1.50m (5ft) in diameter. The distinctive blending of the spots over its back into a honeycomb pattern is easily recognized. It has an extremely long tail, up to twice the body length. The body pattern gradually fades as the animal matures.

THORNBACK RAY

Raja clavata

The species grows up to 90cm (3ft) and has a roughly diamond shape with a pattern of light spots over a uniform olive-green to light-brown body colour. It is characterized by having a series of short spines down its back and along its tail. Ecology: This is quite a common ray. It prefers deeper water where it lives on a fine sand and gravel seabed. It hunts for small demersal fish, molluscs and crustaceans and is usually caught in trawl nets as a by-catch.

FOUR-EYED RAY

Raja miraletus

Another migrant from the Atlantic, this easily recognized ray grows to 60cm (2ft) and has two or four distinctive dark spots on its back. Fairly common in all sandy areas, it is commercially caught and is commonly seen in fish markets. Ecology: Often seen on early evening and night dives, when it is an active predator feeding in pairs.

ELECTRIC RAY

Torpedo marmorata

These fish are easily recognized by their round-shaped body and thick fleshy tail. It is important to recognize the species, as a shock from the fish can stun a man. Light brown with a mottled or marbled appearance, the eyes are set far forward on the head with a pair of lobed spiracles directly behind the eyes. It grows to 60cm (2ft) long. Ecology: Prey are stunned when the ray folds its wings around the subject and stuns it with an electric shock, recorded at 220 volts at 8 amps. This species is solitary and nocturnal, tending to hide under the sand during the day.