Electric Leopard Ray

[Rick Murchison]

We call this an electric leopard ray locally...
It's a Torpedo sp.. but does anyone know the species for sure?
Depth 10'
Perdido Bay Jetty (Alabama; Gulf of Mexico)
Buried in the sand; daytime. (Normally active at night - I dug this guy out for the photo)
Thanks,
Rick

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Looks like a Lesser Electric Ray
Narcine Brasiliensis
Family
Electric Rays - Torpedinidae
size 10-15"

 

[Rick Murchison]

Looks like a Lesser Electric Ray
Narcine Brasiliensis
Family
Electric Rays - Torpedinidae
size 10-15"

Could be... but all the Lessers I've seen have more solid spots or blotches than the ocelated spots on this guy. Definitely could be a type of pattern in the Lesser though.
Thanks,
Rick

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Looks very similar to the photo in the REEF ID book. I have only seen one, and was too close and got zapped!

 

[isurus]

I'd go with a Narcine sp. on body shape as opposed to Torpedo which from what I've seen have a squarer nose. Think Jenny must be right therefore on a process of elimination. Lovely patterned little chap whatever it is.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Looks very similar to the photo in the REEF ID book. I have only seen one, and was too close and got zapped!

I'd go with a Narcine sp. on body shape as opposed to Torpedo which from what I've seen have a squarer nose.

Yep, the Juvie pic in Humann shows a definite ocelated pattern to the spots. So I'll bet you're spot on and what we have is a northern Gulf variety of the Narcine Brasiliensis.
Thanks y'all.
Here's another shot just for fun...

Rick