RAYS - Dasyatididae
Closely related to sharks, rays have evolved slightly differently producing the flattened version of these cartilaginous fish.
Above, Manta Ray, Manta birostris
NOTES: The biggest fish I have ever come across. The above photograph was taken at Sipadan Island, February 1992, using a Nikonos V with 35mm lens. It was estimated to be 6 meters from wingtip to wingtip.
Above, Blue Spotted Ray, Taeniura lymma
NOTES: Usually found in sand patches under coral and pieces of wreckage, this is probably the most common ray spotted by divers. Patience and stealth are usually required to get close to these creatures.
Above, Leopard Ray
NOTES: This ray was photographed at the Mecca Wreck, South Corniche, Jeddah. On one particular dive I stopped counting after 20. They were usually laying around 20 meters around the bow of the wreck.
Above, Electric Ray, Torpedo fuscomaculata
NOTES: I usually came across these creatures during night dives at Blue Beach. Generally they were no more than about 20cm in diameter, however there was one example which was easily twice that. On several dives down in Oman last year (1998) between Christmas and New Year, I came across several large examples with slightly different patterns compared to the above Red Sea species.
