TORPEDO RAY Anyone ever been shocked by one?

[porgyhunter]

I encountered am odd ray in shallow water in the rocks of a jetty off Cape Cod Canal. It looked strange because th ray had a fishlike tail. I touched it with a fiberglass pole spear and it slowly raised up and turned and swam right by me. This gave me a chance to get a couple of pics. of it with a disposeable UW camera. Only after looking it up did I find out it was an electic ray. Big and FLAT it looked nothing like a TORPEDO. Evidently they can deliver quite a jolt. Anyone experience one?

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I have had a close encounter at Nubble, but avoided getting shocked. This guy was not so lucky.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...rpedo-ray-encounter-folly-cove-8-22-10-a.html

 

[drbill]

Don't know the characteristics of the one(s) in your area, but we have the Pacific torpedo ray. While working on board Cousteau's Alcyone back in 1985 one of our divers, knowing what it was, decided to test the shock value. They kept him out of the water for a while as a precaution, but no serious harm. Different species deliver different voltages and amperages.

 

[porgyhunter]

Thanks, that story at folly cove answers alot of questions. This ray was in no way aggessive, but he turned and rode the current directly at me. I was the one to move,that told me he didn't have much to fear. As i said he was big,over 3ft across. Good to know don't f$@k with it.

 

[drbill]

Torpedo rays have little to fear but fear itself. I've had many of them come straight at me, or do a 180 and turn towards me if I am following them too closely.

 

[DandyDon]

Big and FLAT it looked nothing like a TORPEDO

The explosive weapon was named for the fish.

The name comes from the Latin torpere, to be stiffened or paralyzed, referring to the effect on someone who handles or steps on a living electric ray.

The term torpedo was originally used for a variety of devices, most of which would today be called mines. From about 1900 "torpedo" has been used only for an underwater self-propelled missile.

 

[porgyhunter]

Thanks DandyDon You learn something new everyday. Now..... How did the GOOSE FISH or MONK FISH get its name?

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks DandyDon You learn something new everyday. Now..... How did the GOOSE FISH or MONK FISH get its name?

It's probably a long story. Those are Anglerfishes named for their lures. I've seen on eat a fish as long as it. I'd hate to tempt on 5 ft long.

 

[Coralcop]

I encountered am odd ray in shallow water in the rocks of a jetty off Cape Cod Canal. It looked strange because th ray had a fishlike tail. I touched it with a fiberglass pole spear and it slowly raised up and turned and swam right by me. This gave me a chance to get a couple of pics. of it with a disposeable UW camera. Only after looking it up did I find out it was an electic ray. Big and FLAT it looked nothing like a TORPEDO. Evidently they can deliver quite a jolt. Anyone experience one?

I got hit by a lesser electric ray once in 60 fsw. Hurt. Like hell. But, I finished my dive. BTW, you CAN hear someone scream a good distance underwater. I have also seen these rays in very shallow water in Panama City, Fl. Stayed away. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.

 

[The Chairman]

We have a much smaller electric ray here in Florida that is often called a "Battery Fish". We were playing Frisbee in the tidal pools North of Ponce Inlet when I landed on one with both feet. YEAOUCH! The tail burned the tops of my feet and I missed school for a few days as I couldn't walk or wear shoes.