Description

Also known as Brown Stingray, Ningaloo Ray, Plain Maskray.

Found singly, over very shallow, sandy areas, sometimes buried in the sand, over coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on crustaceans, molluscs and worms.
Length - 30cm
Depth - 0-5m
Indian Ocean - Western Australia

Rays are bottom feeders, they settle themselves down over their prey, trapping them against the substrate with their disc, then flexing their disc flaps and manoeuvring the victims into their mouths.
Most rays live in the sea, but some can be found in estuaries, often hard to see as they can be buried in the sand, occasionally they can be seen leaping out of the water.
As a form of defence rays have electric organs while others have venomous spines.
Usually rays will swim out of harms way if approached, however they can give a nasty sting which could prove fatal.
Never swim over the top of large rays, they think you are a predator and are likely to whip their tails in defense! (as happened to Steve Irwin) Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/65467