Scientific name:
Ginglymostoma cirratum Identification:
Pectoral and dorsal fins rounded; second dorsal origin in front of anal origin; barbels long (extended to mouth); color tan to dark brown, juveniles have small black spots. Size:
Birth 27 cm (10.6 inches), maximum length 4.3 m (14 ft). Range:
Western Atlantic from Rhode Island to Brazil; eastern Atlantic from Senegal to Gabon; eastern Pacific from southern Baja California to Peru. Biology:
Found on lagoon patch reefs, reef flats, reef faces, and mangrove swamps. Inactive during the day, often found in aggregations on sea floor at this time. At night, hunts benthic invertebrates (spiny lobsters, crabs, octopuses, sea urchins), stingrays, and benthic bony fishes. Digs under coral chunks with head in search of concealed invertebrate prey. Has a fixed home range; tagged individuals have been recaptured in the same area, even after 4 years at liberty.