Brown ray
📖 Overview
Found over soft bottoms of the shelf and the uppermost slope . Depth range from 17-300 m, and up to depth of 462 m in the eastern Ionian Sea . Feed on all kinds of benthic animals, also on fish offal . Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother . Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats . Egg capsules are 4.2-4.6 cm long and 2.7-2.9 cm wide . About 40-72 eggs are lain by an individual in a year . Caught by ski-boat anglers .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. Snout short and bluntly pointed; disc angular . Upper surface prickly only in young, nearly smooth in adults, underside smooth . Upper surface ochre to reddish-brown with scattered dark spots, underside white ; two bright blue eyespots centered on the pectoral bases ; may have a small dark spot on tip of snout .: other; Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Brown ray is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk . With egg-cases laid from spring to summer . Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 17 - 462 m , usually 50 - 150 m . Subtropical; 44°N - 35°S Northeast Atlantic: from Spain (Bay of Biscay) to Morocco and Madiera, including the Mediterranean Sea.
🌿 Ecology
all kinds of benthic animals, also on fish offal (Ref
📐 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
"Brown 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 | 17.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 651 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Brown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raia ocellifera | Regan | 1906 | Synonym |
| Raia oculata | Stephan | 1779 | Synonym |
| Raia quadrimaculata | Risso | 1827 | Synonym |
| Raja milaretus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Raja oculata | Stephan | 1779 | Synonym |
| Raja quadrimaculata | Risso | 1827 | Synonym |
| Raya biocularis | Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire | 1817 | Heterotypic |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 714 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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