Last Sunday, I was invited to the C.I.M.I.’s annual wine fest. What a treat! While on campus, we visited a few lobs, which I have never done at night. As soon as I reached the aquarium, the most darling triangular fella was seen jumping for joy in his tank. There were several juvenile deep sea skates, that were hatched at the Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro and are now residing in Toyon Bay.
The skates are species of the softnose skate found in depths of 326 to 2960 meters. The species name, abyssicola, comes from the Greek meaning “bottomless, living at depths.”
The tail is long, narrow, and tapers into a small caudal fin. The pectoral fins are triangular. The two dorsal fins usually have an indorsal thorn. Its color varies from grayish purple to chocolate brown to black, sometimes scattered with darker spots as it matures.
Deepwater skates feed on annelid worms, cephalopods, shrimps, tanner crabs, and bony fishes. Eggs from the deep skate hatch after they have been laid by their parent. The egg cases, referred to as “mermaid purses” are deposited on sandy and muddy flats.
The juvenile skate has a strikingly white ghostly coloration. The skates are related to sharks and rays, but may win the contest as the “cutest” arhynchobatiade!
Sea you at the stairs …
Tina Kennedy has resided in Avalon for more than 40 years, and manages Catalina Divers Supply. She loves swimming, diving, snorkeling, and paddling in the island’s waters. Contact her at info@catalinadiverssupply.com