Animal
Arbiter snailfish
A snailfish swims against the currents and hovers above the seafloor while searching for snacks.
Not on view at the Aquarium
The southern stingray has a large, flat, diamond-shaped disk without a distinct head. Its olive-brown to greenish-grey upper body and white underbelly is ideal camouflage for an animal that spends its days well buried in sand. From above, only its eyes and huge spiracles (respiratory openings that are often mistaken for eyes) are visible.
Females to 6.5 feet (2 m) wide and 214 lbs (97 kg); males to 2.6 feet (.8 m) wide
Feeds opportunistically, but prefers bivalves, worms, shrimp, crabs and small fishes
Tropical and subtropical waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico
Pelagic stingray, freshwater river rays; Family: Dasyatidae (stingrays)
Feeding constantly during the day and night, a stingray slowly grazes over the sandy seafloor. Since its eyes are on top of its body, it depends on electro-receptors and a keen sense of smell and touch to find food. To uncover buried prey, a stingray forces jet streams of water through its mouths or flop its fins over the sand. If it finds a clam, the ray’s serrated teeth plates are strong enough to easily crush the shell. Then it spits out the fragments.
The southern stingray is plentiful, but at least nine other species of stingrays are at a high risk for extinction. Many people in Polynesia, Malaysia, Central America and Africa value the stingray as a main source of protein. Stingray skin is processed into leather that's strong, durable and almost indestructible. At one time, craftspeople used stingray spines to make spears, knives, and other useful tools.
Since there's no data or restrictions on stingray catches, the Ocean Conservancy warns that a sudden surge in demand for stingray leather and food could seriously threaten several stingray populations.
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