Whip stingray
📖 Overview
Found in coral reefs and estuarine areas, on sand and mud bottoms . Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans . Ovoviviparous with litters of only 1 pup while earlier estimates indicated production of up to 10 in a litter . Caught occasionally by bottom trawl fisheries operating inshore. Utilized for its meat but of limited value due to its small size. Served in 'miso' soup, hard boiled with seasonings, or for 'kamaboko' material .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Disc rhomboid, anterior margin straight, posterior margin convex. Snout triangular and slightly produced. dorsal keel present on tail. Adults with small spines on disc and posterior part of tail. Brown dorsally and some with orangish pectoral fin margins, in front of eyes, behind spiracles, on the sides of the tail just anterior to the sting. Ventrum orangish red.: other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Whip stingray 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 . Distinct pairing with embrace .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous ; depth range 10 - 50 m . Subtropical; 43°N - 23°N Northwest Pacific: central China to northern Japan.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- intense pain
- laceration
- oedema
- retained spine fragments possible
Wound care, imaging for retained spine, tetanus prophylaxis, antibiotic prophylaxis for marine wounds.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🎣 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
"Whip stingray 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
Detailed nutritional data for Whip stingray is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Whip stingray 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 21 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Whip stingray ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.