Southern stingray
📖 Overview
Found on sandy bottoms, seagrass beds, lagoons and the reef face . Common in bays and estuaries , and in mangrove areas . Observed singly, in pairs and in aggregations . Buries in the sand during the day and forages at night, usually in seagrass beds . Feeds mainly on bivalves and worms and also takes shrimps, crabs and small fishes . Feeds by creating depressions in the sand to expose invertebrates and small fishes . Ovoviviparous, with 3-4 in a litter . May be found in cleaning stations where they are attended to by the bluehead wrasse and Spanish hogfish . Equipped with a well-developed serrated spine and capable of inflicting a painful laceration. Easily approached by divers .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Disk has sharp outer corners and irregular row of short spines on upper surface . Disk usually uniform dark brown above, grayer in young. Ventral finfold on tail long and high, dorsal finfold absent . Upper surface of disc gray, dark or olivaceous brown or olive green. Lower surface of disc white or whitish with an edging of gray or brown .: other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Southern 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 . Male mounts on female dorsally .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 53 m , usually ? - 4 m . Subtropical; 36°N - 4°S, 100°W - 37°W
🌿 Ecology
bivalves and worms and also takes shrimps, crabs and small fishes (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
"Southern 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 145 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Southern 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Southern Stingray |
| 🌍CES | trnucha americká |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Vestatlantisk pigrokke |
| 🇩🇪German | Amerikanischer Stechrochen · Peitschenrochen · Südlicher Stechrochen |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | ruskokeihäsrausku |
| 🇫🇷French | Pastenague Américaine · Raie pastenague américaine |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pastinaca americana · Pastinaca atlantica · Pastinaca meridionale · Trigone americano · Trigone atlantico · Trigone meridionale |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | アメリカアカエイ |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Amerikaanse pijlstaartrog |
| 🇵🇱Polish | ogończa amerykańska |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Raia Cravadora · Raia-lixa · Raia-manteiga · Raia-prego · Uge-americana |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Американский хвостокол |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Raya Americana · Raya Chucho · Raya de espina · Raya látigo · Raya látigo americana · raya látigo blanca · Raya-látigo Americana |
| 🌍TUR | İrina |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 38 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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