Distinguishing features
This large ray is characterized by a thick, rounded pectoral fin disc covered by small tubercles on top, and a relatively short tail bearing a deep ventral fin fold. In addition, it has a variable but distinctive light and dark mottled pattern on its upper surface, and a black tail. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 300 cm (Length including the tail )
Weight
- Up to 150 kg
Wingspan
- Up to 300 cm
Depth range
- From 20 m to 60 m
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It has a wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific region: it is found from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa northward along the East African coast to the Red Sea, including Madagascar and the Mascarenes; from there, its range extends eastward through the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia and Micronesia, occurring as far north as Korea and southern Japan, and as far south as Australia, where it is found from at least Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia to Stradbroke Island off Queensland, including Lord Howe Island. In the easternmost portion of its range, it has been reported from Cocos Island and the Galápagos Islands, with individuals possibly dispersing as far as Central America.
It is a bottom-dwelling inhabitant of lagoons, estuaries, and reefs. (Wikipedia)
Chronotypes
Diet
It is an active predator of small, benthic molluscs, crustaceans, and bony fishes. (Wikipedia)
Web resources
Danger
- requires treatment - Although not aggressive, if provoked it will defend itself with its venomous tail spine. (Wikipedia)