electric skate

I knew of electric rays from diving around the Channel Islands but was unaware of electric skates until last week when I caught one in Soquel Cove. Fortunately I was on a small boat and could net it and set it down on the transom. Lots of crackling noises as it was providing a warning charge nearly continuously.

The skates are not supposed to produce the same level of electric charge as the electrogenic rays but it is still a fish I would not want to "handle" if I hooked one while on a kayak.

Interesting.  Do they have a different name than "electric skate"?  I did a search on FishBase but nothing came up under "electric skate".

I had heard that there are various types of skates that can generate a weak electrical field, but never thought they could generate enough to shock a person.  At least, I have never read that anywhere. Interesting.

Interesting catch! And thanks for the heads up. I wouldn't want to bring that thing into the yak. 
The pacific electric rays (or torpedo rays) are pretty common in Monterey bay. Heck, I even know of people who've speared & eaten them haha...

EDIT: I found some more info here: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=34349
""Skates have paired electric organs along
the sides of their tails, which generate weak, low-voltage
electric currents believed to be used in intra-specic communication,
possibly for mate recognition or to demonstrate
aggression. These electric currents are not harmful
to humans.""

The pacific electric rays (or torpedo rays) are pretty common in Monterey bay. Heck, I even know of people who've speared & eaten them haha...

Yummy. 

Nathan petted a big one down at 30+ feet one day...big dummy.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim