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Temp: Surf 20°C Bottom 20°C
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Dive type : Deep dive, Drift
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Visibility: Good
Water: Salt
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Dive Profile
- 1. Air
- 12L Steel
207 → 69 bar
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- Average depth: 14m
Data provided by EOL.org
Species Identified
Triaenodon obesus (Rüppell, 1837) (Whitetip reef shark)
Despite its docile nature during the day this nocturnal shark can become aggressive when hunting at night, thrashing through coral reefs looking for potential prey. The whitetip reef shark usually hunts alone, but is non-t...
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Despite its docile nature during the day this nocturnal shark can become aggressive when hunting at night, thrashing through coral reefs looking for potential prey. The whitetip reef shark usually hunts alone, but is non-territorial and will occasionally work in cooperation with others in the pursuit of prey . Feeding primarily on bottom-dwelling octopus, lobsters, crabs and bony fish, it often chases its prey into a crevice before jamming its body in after it, sealing the exit . The extremely posterior location of the first dorsal fin compared to those of other sharks is an adaptation to this feeding habit, which allows them to get their heads and mouths much further into the gaps and holes in the coral . The whitetip reef shark's mating season varies with location . Reproduction is viviparous and after a gestation period of around a year the female will give birth to one to five live pups, which are completely independent at birth . Both sexes reach sexual maturity at approximately 5 years old, and it is estimated that this species can live to an age of 25 years .
Heterodontus quoyi (Fréminville, 1840) (Galapagos bullhead shark)
Sphyrna lewini (Griffith and Smith, 1834) (scalloped hammerhead)
Forming impressively large schools, female scalloped hammerheads gather in the Gulf of California during the day, around underwater mountains known as seamounts, where they perform a wide range of poorly-understood behavio...
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Forming impressively large schools, female scalloped hammerheads gather in the Gulf of California during the day, around underwater mountains known as seamounts, where they perform a wide range of poorly-understood behaviours . These aggregations are thought to be a result of many sharks, particularly younger females, seeking refuge in a safe place near a rich food supply, although many alternative theories have been put forward . Young scalloped hammerheads also tend to live in large schools, whereas adults usually occur singly, in pairs, or in small groups . These sharks feed on fish, cephalopods, lobsters, shrimps, crabs, other sharks, and rays. They are thought to be potentially dangerous to humans although few attacks have been recorded . The teeth of the scalloped hammerhead are best suited to seizing prey that can be swallowed whole, rather than ripping into larger prey. The hammer-shaped head is thought to be a mechanism to spread out the ampullae of Lorenzini – sensory organs that detect electric currents, chemicals in the water, and temperature changes . Larger shark species may attack young scalloped hammerheads, but adults have no natural enemies. Adults visit cleaning stations where fish known as cleaner wrasse remove parasites from their skin and mouths . During the 9 to 10 month gestation, the eggs of the scalloped hammerhead hatch inside the body of the female. After hatching, but before birth, they are nourished by a yolk sac placenta. The female moves to shallow waters during the summer where she will give birth to between 15 and 31 live young .
Galeocerdo cuvier (Péron & Lesueur, 1822) (tiger shark)
Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blue shark)
Blue sharks are viviparous, giving birth to live young after a gestation period of nine to twelve months . Up to 135 pups can be born per litter, partially depending on the size of the female, but the average is 25 to 50 ...
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Blue sharks are viviparous, giving birth to live young after a gestation period of nine to twelve months . Up to 135 pups can be born per litter, partially depending on the size of the female, but the average is 25 to 50 . Maturity is reached at approximately five to six years old and blue sharks are known to have lived to 20 years . Although often observed cruising slowly and sluggishly the blue shark is capable of rapid movement if it is excited or feeding . This species will often circle its prey before moving in to attack it. Blue sharks primarily feed upon relatively small prey, such as bony fish and squid, but will also take larger prey including mammalian carrion .
Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen, 1790) (Bishop ray)
Large groups of spotted eagle rays may be seen outside of the breeding season. These rays swim close to the surface and can occasionally be seen jumping clear out of the water (known as 'breaching') . Females give birth to...
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Large groups of spotted eagle rays may be seen outside of the breeding season. These rays swim close to the surface and can occasionally be seen jumping clear out of the water (known as 'breaching') . Females give birth to around 4 live young . Spotted eagle rays have heavy dental plates which they use to crush their hard-shelled prey ; they feed predominantly on bivalve shellfish .
Manta birostris (Walbaum, 1792) (Giant manta)
Manta rays are generally solitary, although loose aggregations of individuals may occur where there are abundant food sources or during the breeding season. When ready to mate, a male will bite his mate's pectoral fin to p...
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Manta rays are generally solitary, although loose aggregations of individuals may occur where there are abundant food sources or during the breeding season. When ready to mate, a male will bite his mate's pectoral fin to position himself belly-belly for copulation . The developing eggs remain inside the female's body for possibly as long as 12 months and hatch internally so that she gives birth to live young . The average litter size is two pups, and there is often a two year gap between births . These rays feed on planktonic organisms by filtering volumes of water through their mouths. Individuals have been observed swimming in slow vertical loops whilst feeding, possibly in an effort to concentrate prey items . The fleshy projections on either side of the mouth are also used to funnel prey; when not feeding, these lobes are either furled or closed in front of the mouth . Mantas are often host to remoras (Remorina spp.), which attach to the underside of the larger fish and consume particles of food that fall from the mouth . Exceptionally graceful swimmers, manta rays appear to fly through the water on their large wings. Individuals have also been observed to jump (or 'breach') clear out of the water, possibly in a form of communication or play .
Sphyraena idiastes Heller & Snodgrass, 1903 (Pelican barracuda)
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Halim H Omar
Ecuador
Date: 2011-11-23 - 13:00
Max Depth: 21m Duration: 20mins
Dive with Hugo Masaquiza from Dive Center Silberstein
