CARTILAGINOUS FISH SPECIES

Videos of sanctuary Sharks and Rays

Here's some guidance on how to interact appropriately with manta rays when you see them. Remember, sanctuary regulations prohibit you from touching or harassing any rays or sharks.

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All of the following sharks and rays are found within the coral cap region of the sanctuary (0-130 ft, 0-40m deep). Common names are listed, if known.

Rays

Common Name	Scientific Name
Spotted Eagle Ray	Aetobatus narinari Video
Southern Stingray	Hypanus americanus
Roughtail Stingray	Bathytoshia centroura
Manta Ray Threatened Species (2018)	Mobula birostris Video
Lesser Devil Ray	Mobula hypostoma
Sicklefin Devil Ray	Mobula tarapacana Video

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Sawfishes

Common Name	Scientific Name
Sawfish	Pristis sp.

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Sharks

Common Name	Scientific Name
Spinner Shark	Carcharhinus cf. brevipinna
Silky Shark	Carcharhinus falciformis
Blacktip Shark	Carcharhinus cf. limbatus
Bull Shark	Carcharhinus leucas
Dusky Shark	Carcharhinus obscurus
Caribbean Reef Shark	Carcharhinus perezii
Sandbar/Brown Shark	Carcharhinus plumbeus Video
Tiger Shark	Galeocerdo cuvier
Nurse Shark	Ginglymostoma cirratum
Smooth Dogfish	Mustelus canis
Gulf Smoothhound	Mustelus sinusmexicanus
Whale Shark	Rhincodon typus
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark	Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark	Sphyrna lewini
Great Hammerhead Shark	Sphyrna c.f. mokarran
Atlantic Angel Shark	Squatina dumeril

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Early work on elasmobranchs at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary was conducted by Jeffrey N Childs (2001), a graduate student from Texas A&M University.