WHATSTHATFISH
Sharks & rays

Cownose Ray

Rhinoptera bonasus

Also known as: Cowfish, Cownose Eagle Ray, Cownose Stingray, Cow-nosed Ray, Flapnose Ray, Manta, Manta Ray

VUVulnerableIUCN Red List, 2020
Handle with careLook, don't touch
Adult
@fishx6 · Bournemouth Aquarium, United Kingdom · August 20091 / 7
01

Overview

Found in fevers, lying on the bottom or above coral reefs, in sheltered bays as well as out in open waters.They swim together to stir up the sediment, which exposes the clams and oysters which they feed upon, sometimes seen jumping out of the water and landing with a loud smack! These rays are oceanic species, and migrate over large areas.
Widespread - Eastern Atlantic, Western Atlantic, Caribbean

These beautiful rays can be found gracefully "flying" through the water, often in small schools.
This ray has a stinger, spine, on its tail with teeth lining its sides, close to the ray's body it has a weak venom that causes symptoms similar to that of a bee sting.

02

How to identify

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean, Eastern Atlantic
  • Exact location · 2
  • Country only · 5
LIVES IN

Found in fevers, lying on the bottom or above coral reefs, in sheltered bays as well as out in open waters.They swim together to stir up the sediment, which exposes the clams and oysters which they feed upon, sometimes seen jumping out of the water and landing with a loud smack!

04

Adult photos 7

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. familyRhinopteridae
    6. genusRhinoptera
    7. speciesRhinoptera bonasus (Mitchill, 1815)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Myliobatiformes