BAROS UNDERWATER A Shovelnose Ray Or Guitar Shark? Is it a shark? Is it a ray? Honestly—it’s difficult to
Intrigued by these creatures? Then you’ll be thrilled
fish, Rhynchobatus djiddensis, is a magnificent,
Baros House Reef several times a year, specifically
say for sure! What we do know is that this unique tropical, underwater creature that can grow to
reach over three meters long and weigh up to 230 kilograms.
during the summer months and the beginning of
the dry season. There are just a few small windows for visitors to see the shovelnose rays, but it
Believed to be a type of wedgefish, this
certainly makes sightings are all the more exciting.
appearance. This makes us think that life in the
wonderful sightings of these fish during the day,
fascinating creature has a uniquely prehistoric
Interested to try your luck? While there have been
ocean hasn’t changed much over the millennia;
encounters are particularly spectacular at night
proof that when something works well, nature will keep it as it is.
This fish swims like a shark but lays at the bottom of the ocean like a ray, with a flat body and a
snout that is triangular and pointed. As with all cartilaginous fish, the sensors located on the
muzzle make shovelnose rays formidable hunters that search for their prey, such as bony fish, crustaceans and molluscs, in the sand.
The elongated, shark-like shape of this fish
boasts rows of mesmerising white spots, making it unmissable for snorkellers and divers. Those lucky enough to see them often view them as
“the encounter of the day”. These fish typically live solitary lives, but in the right season, they can be found in groups.
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to know that they can be found in and around the
IN TOUCH Magazine — BAROS Maldives
while on snorkelling excursions or a night dive.
