Bull ray
📖 Overview
Found in coastal tropical and warm temperate waters, occasionally offshore. Sometimes found in small groups . Feed on bottom-living crustaceans and mollusks. Ovoviviparous , aplacental . Prized angling fish, often released . Flesh highly esteemed .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Long, flat, rounded snout like a duck's bill; head thick and pectoral disc with sharply curved, angular corners; upper or lower jaw; usually with 7 rows of flat teeth . Light brown with several pale blue-grey stripes (may be absent) dorsally, white ventrally .: other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bull ray is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
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 . Gestation about 6 months; 3-7 young produced . Size at birth 45 cm WD .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 10 - 150 m . Subtropical; 44°N - 35°S, 19°W - 36°E South Africa) and southern Mozambique (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
bottom-living crustaceans and mollusks
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Bull ray is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 146 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bull ray has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aetomylaeus huletti | Smith | 1953 | Synonym |
| Aetomylus huletti | Smith | 1953 | Synonym |
| Leiobatis bovina | Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire | 1817 | Synonym |
| Myliobates episcopus | Valenciennes | 1844 | Synonym |
| Myliobatis bonaparti | Duméril | 1865 | Synonym |
| Myliobatis bovina | Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire | 1817 | Synonym |
| Pteromylaeus bovinus | Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire | 1817 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 666 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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