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Tobago Marine Life
SHARKS & RAYS
CARTILAGINOUS FISHES (Chondrichthyes)
This class of fishes includes sharks, rays and skates. Sharks and rays are characterised principally by a cartilageinous skeleton, not bone, and five to seven gill slits. Rays have these numerous gill slits but they are hidden in a gill chamber behind a small opening called a spiracle located behind each eye. Effectively sharks and rays belong to the same family which dates back 135 million years to the cretaceous period.
Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
The most common shark found in Tobago waters and can be seen throughout the year. Found mostly on south Atlantic reefs but are also encountered in Speyside. Nurse sharks are primarily nocturnal and spend most of their day sleeping under ledges or in holes, look for the tailfin protruding out from under a ledge. A fully grown adult female can reach up to 4m. Identifiable by the large pectoral fin and two long nostril barbells. Body is greenish in colour. The two courting nurse sharks above were photographed on Snap,Crackle,Pop (Speyside) and if you look close you can see each has a remora.
Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrnidae)
Seasonal visitors. Of the eight species of hammerhead, the scalloped (Sphyrna lewini) and bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) are the most common here. They can be found mostly at Sisters from January to May where they like the cooler current swept outer reefs and pinnacles. As a general rule water temperatures need to be 26˚/ 78˚. Scalloped and bonnetheads are a smaller (3m) shy shaoling fish seldom seen alone unlike the larger (6m) Great hammerhead (Sphynera mokarran) which is more aggressive and solitary. Single great hammerheads have been seen off out pinnalces such as Special and open reefs like Bookends and Spiney Colony. Early morning dives increase the chances of an encounter with one these beautiful creatures.
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
Fundamentally a shy but curious shark that will often approach divers from the front and circle around keeping their distance. Sightings are common in Speyside. The black markings on dorsal and tailfin are more prominent on younger sharks. A large adult can reach 3m in length. To prolong the experience of a black tip encounter try exhaling through your nose as this muffles the sound of the bubbles which the shark finds disturbing. Don't approach the shark but rather let it approach you. This one was seen at Hide n Seek.
Reef Shark (Carcharhinus springeri)
Similar in appearance to blacktips. Identification is helped as the reef shark is generally larger, adults reach at least 3m, and have an elongated pectoral fin, slighter body shape with a shorter snout than the black tip. Seen mostly around Speyside and south Atlantic, commonly known as the Caribbean reef shark.
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
Immediately identifiably by their weighty body and short rounded snout. Adults reach excess of 4m. Although not common in Caribbean waters the bull shark is often seen in Tobago. Mostly around the fishing grounds off the north coast and occasional Sisters. Seen in most frequently in shallow water.
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
Tigers have a short snout and a long pronounced caudal fin. The large body is a grey or greyish brown with dark spots which fuse into tiger like bars. These tiger ‘stripes’ may not be visible on larger adults. The largest tiger caught was 7m but there have been reports of Tigers reaching 10m. They are not common in Tobago (I’ve seen 3 in four years) but I have seen them on Cove, Sisters and Hide n Seek as seen above. Tigers will usually approach from the side and pass in front before swimming away ahead of you.
Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris)
Occasional visitors to Tobago seen mostly between November and May. Similar in size and shape to a large adult nurse shark but is identifiable by smaller pectoral fins, pointed snout and no barbell. Also a different colouring, unlike the greenish nurse shark, lemon sharks are a yellowish brown. Commonly grow to 3m they are also known to sit motionless on the bottom. This one was seen at Favourite (Speyside), note the garden eels in the foreground.
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
The beautiful animals are probably the most wonderful shark to encounter. Their mesmerising size and grace is just spectacular. You can see them between December and May in the Speyside region. Dawn dives drastically increase your chances, diving after 9am is highly unlikely. If you are lucky enough, best to avoid going infront of the shark as this distresses them, and do not attempt to touch or ride them.
Southern Stingray (Dasyatis americana)
The Southern Stingray (dasyatis americana) can reach a width of 2m. They have broadly expanded pectoral fins and an undefined head body and pectorals, collectively known as the disc. They are usually seen island wide lying on the bottom often buried in the sand. They feed by digging for invertibrates and small crustacians in the sand bed as pictured above on Flying reef but are able to catch fish.
Roughtail Stingray (Dasyatis centroura)
Smaller than the southern stingray the atlantic has a more triangulated shaped body and pointed snout. The posterior edge of its pectoral fins are serated leading into several pronounced venomuous spines at the base of its tail. Mostly seen on south Atlantic reefs in sand chanels such as Stingray Alley like the one above.
Lesser Electric Ray (Narcine brasiliensis)
Sometimes referred to as torpedo rays, these small round bottom dwelling fish have two electric organs with which they can produce electric shocks to catch prey and deter predators. Of seven species of electric ray in the Caribbean, these are the only ones that inhabit waters shallow enough for divers. Seen island wide, this one was photographed on Kariwak.
Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatis narinari)
A beautiful graceful ray common to Tobago and frequently seen island wide. The tail is often three times longer than the disc. Unlike the other stingrays its head is conspicuous and has a pronounced eagle like snout. The venomous spines at the base of its tail are not always present. Will frequently pass divers as they effortlessly glide into the current as the one seen above on Favourite.
Manta Ray (Manta birostris)
The elusive pelagic that every diver wishes to see. Probably the most graceful, elegant and majestic creature in the ocean. Its easily identifiable not only as it’s the largest of all the rays but the two cephalic fins which extend forward from the eyes to help steer small prey into its open mouth. You find them mostly in warm surface waters where they like to feed on planktons. They certainly don't come to Tobago in the numbers of old but they are seen frequently from December to June. Mantas should NOT be touched or ridden. This is extremely harmful to them. Best way to view mantas is from below and allow them to approach you. Heading toward a manta will most likely cause it to turn and flee. Although I have seen them on the south Caribbean coast your best chance is an early morning dive off Speyside. This juvenile was seen on Black Jack Hole.
Sharks & Rays | Reptiles & Crustaceans | Reef Fish | Invertebrates | Eels
