WHATSTHATFISH
Sharks & rays

Common Stingray

Dasyatis pastinaca

Also known as: Blue Stingray, Blue-spot Stingray, Blue-spotted Stingray, Golden Stingray, Pastinaca Ray, Bluespot Stingray

VUVulnerableIUCN Red List, 2021
VenomousKeep your distance
Adult
@Jorge · Azores - Pico Island, Portugal · June 20131 / 2
01

Overview

Found singly, often resting on mud and sandy bottoms, of shallow bays, estuaries, and coastal lagoons.
Widespread Northeastern Atlantic, Mediterranean

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)

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
blue spots

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, often resting on mud and sandy bottoms, of shallow bays, estuaries, and coastal lagoons.

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classElasmobranchii
    4. orderMyliobatiformes
    5. familyDasyatidae
    6. genusDasyatis
    7. speciesDasyatis pastinaca (Linnaeus, 1758)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Stingrays (Dasyatidae)