Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Myliobatiformes (Stingrays) >
Dasyatidae (Stingrays)
Etymology: Dasyatis: Greek, dasys = rough, dense (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 12 - 65 m (Ref. 4438). Tropical, preferred ?
Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea: Morocco, Mauritania to Congo (Ref. 33465). Range extends to Natal, South Africa (Ref. 5578).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 60.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4438)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 0;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 0. Conspicuous bright blue blotches and branching lines on a golden brown disc; snout and disc angular, and tail less than twice body length with a short upper caudal finfold, and a longer lower one falling far in front of tail tip; disc without thorns; usually one sting (Ref. 5578). Underside white, tail darker and without bands (Ref. 5578).
Close inshore, found on sandy beaches and in shallow bays (Ref. 5578), sometimes near rocky reefs (Ref. 12951). Found in deeper offshore areas during the winter season (Ref. 12951). Feeds on crabs, mantis shrimps, amphipods, worms, and fishes (Ref. 12951). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 4438. Disc width measures 30 cm. Its thorny, venomous hooks can cause painful injuries (Ref. 5377).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures (Ref. 50449). With 1 to 4 in a litter (Ref. 12951). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205).
Cowley, P.D. and L.J.V. Compagno, 1993. A taxonomic re-evaluation of the blue stingray from southern Africa (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae). S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 13:135-149. (Ref. 33465)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; gamefish: yes
More information
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources