southern stingray

southern stingray

spotted eagle ray

spotted eagle ray

spotted eagle ray

spotted eagle ray

Two rays are often seen on Bonaire: the southern stingray and the spotted eagle ray. Sometimes I see them in the distance, floating by. Impossible to follow or to get close. Other times they are on the reef, looking for food. Or, like the stingray, resting on the sand bottom. Then I can approach them. If I get too close, they swim away. But sometimes they stop and turn around. “Who are you, chasing me?” they seem to ask.

March 2016.

spotted eagle ray

spotted eagle ray

I saw this spotted eagle ray with an unusual pattern.

And in the same dive a southern stingray

southern stingray

southern stingray

Eels

Morays and eels usually hide in holes or sand. Seeing a big green moray swimming to me is quite exciting. The garden eels disappear very fast, they are very shy.
The goldentail moray is often seen with other fishes.