Saw the biggest horn shark I've ever seen (no pics)

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Jabba954

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 4, 2009
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Bay Area
Alas, I didn't hit the record button on my head mounted camera hard enough, so there is no video, but my buddy and I saw a MASSIVE horn shark scuba diving off of La Jolla friday night. The shark measured at just shy of 50" - she was chill, just sat around while we took a couple quick measurements and (I thought) took pictures/video. Then she took off into the darkness. It was awesome.

Next dive we saw a ~36" male who didn't want to hang around for long. We also saw tons of california round rays, some bat rays, and dozens of octopus. Also saw some sleeping sheepheads.

Going back in 3 weeks, and damn well making sure the camera is rolling. For anyone interested, the shark was at about 105', water was 56 degrees at depth, vis was about 20', just off the canyon at La Jolla Shores.
 
Well usually the Cali Horns are reported max out at about 122 cm (48 inches), which is the maximum confirmed size for the species. However that doesn't mean that a 50 incher isn't possible - just that it's exceptionally rare to find one that large. And such a specimen hasn't yet been offically scientific documented.
 
Sorry Deano, can't collect rays there - it's all protected. We were looking for giant pacific octopus and octopus bimaculatus, and documenting sizes found, and locations. Came over a little crest, and there was the horn shark - HUGE. She sat there long enough to measure her and watch her for awhile - thought she might be at the end of her life (given the size and lack of movement), but after a while she just opted to lazily swim away. Breathing looked fine, and no visible ailment. Maybe pregnant?
 
Jabba954;4027632; said:
Sorry Deano, can't collect rays there - it's all protected. We were looking for giant pacific octopus and octopus bimaculatus, and documenting sizes found, and locations. Came over a little crest, and there was the horn shark - HUGE. She sat there long enough to measure her and watch her for awhile - thought she might be at the end of her life (given the size and lack of movement), but after a while she just opted to lazily swim away. Breathing looked fine, and no visible ailment. Maybe pregnant?
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Is that like a national park area?
 
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