See this link for my blog with photos of other NE Pacific Ocean fish egg cases known as “mermaid’s purses”.
Little is known about the longevity of Ratfish but preliminary research suggests that they are likely late maturing with females becoming sexually mature at age ~14 and males at age ~12 (source 7). It appears to me that they spawn throughout the year but there may be a peak from May into October (source 9). The baby Ratfish develop within the egg case for 5 to 10 months and then wiggle out when they are around 14 cm. Then, she lays another pair (this suggests female Ratfish may be able to store sperm). Reportedly, they often hang from her in the water column for four to six days before falling to the ocean bottom. As seen in Wendy Carey’s remarkable photo below, they female “extrudes’ two egg cases at a time – one from each oviduct. The leathery egg cases look like “little violin cases” (source 2) and each contain one egg. Fertilization is internal and then egg cases are laid. ©Jackie Hildering.įemale bits: Like many rays, sharks and skates, chimeras are “oviparous”. The result appeared to be that I temporarily blinded him. I will never forget my excitement at seeing one for the first time and, without thinking, turning my dive light on the poor guy.
Even though Spotted Ratfishes are often in the shallows, my personal observations support that their eyes are designed to function in low light. Their huge eyes suggest that Spotted Ratfish are more active at night. Senses: Like rays, skates and sharks, they have pores in their heads with which they can detect the electrical fields of their prey – even tiny heartbeats under the sand (source 5).
They diverged from their shark ancestors some 400 million years ago. They are all cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) but sharks and rays belong to the subclass “Elasmobranchii” and the Chimaeras are in a separate subclass, the “Holocephali”. However, multiple shocks can cause respiratory or heart failure, and people have been known to drown in shallow water after a stunning jolt.Are they sharks? The Chimeras are closely related to rays, skates and sharks. Human deaths from electric eels are extremely rare. They have long, cylindrical bodies and flattened heads and are generally dark green or grayish on top with yellowish coloring underneath. CharacteristicsĮlectric eels can reach huge proportions, exceeding 8 feet in length and 44 pounds in weight. They also have poor eyesight, but can emit a low-level charge, less than 10 volts, which they use like radar to navigate and locate prey. As air-breathers, they must come to the surface frequently. They live in the murky streams and ponds of the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, feeding mainly on fish, but also amphibians and even birds and small mammals. When threatened or attacking prey, these cells will discharge simultaneously. Their bodies contain electric organs with about 6,000 specialized cells called electrocytes that store power like tiny batteries. These famous freshwater predators get their name from the enormous electrical charge they can generate to stun prey and dissuade predators. Their scientific classification is closer to carp and catfish. Despite their serpentine appearance, electric eels are not actually eels.
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