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Bullseye electric ray (Diplobatis ommata) — Narcinidae

Bullseye electric ray

Diplobatis ommata
Family: Narcinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bullseye electric ray (Diplobatis ommata) is a saltwater fish of the family Narcinidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3–94 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Eastern Pacific; sand and rocky bottoms, bays and coral reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The ocellated electric ray is a small electric ray of the family Narcinidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a round, disc-shaped pectoral disc with a conspicuous eyespot (ocellus) on the back. It is nocturnal and solitary and lives on sand and rock bottoms, in bays and on coral reefs. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and small fishes. With specialised electric organs the ray can deliver a shock to stun prey and defend itself; therefore do not touch a live specimen.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bullseye electric ray?

The Bullseye electric ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Round disc with a striking eyespot; can deliver an electric shock to paralyse prey.

Where does the Bullseye electric ray live?

The Bullseye electric ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; sand and rocky bottoms, bays and coral reefs.

How big does the Bullseye electric ray get?

The Bullseye electric ray grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Bullseye electric ray dangerous to humans?

The Bullseye electric ray can cause injury; handle it with care. This ray can deliver a strong electric shock that may cause temporary numbness; do not touch a live or stranded specimen. After a shock, move the victim to safety and seek medical care if symptoms persist.

Is the Bullseye electric ray edible?

The Bullseye electric ray is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bullseye electric ray (Diplobatis ommata) — Narcinidae — 2
Pitassy, Diane E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bullseye electric ray (Diplobatis ommata) — Narcinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Steve Ryan (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Bullseye electric ray (Diplobatis ommata) — Narcinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Steve Ryan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Bullseye electric ray (Diplobatis ommata) — Narcinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Bullseye electric ray verified
Scientific name
Diplobatis ommata
Family
Narcinidae
Other names
Ocellated electric ray; Pacific dwarf numbfish; Target ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3 verified
Max depth (m)
94 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; sand and rocky bottoms, bays and coral reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Round disc with a striking eyespot; can deliver an electric shock to paralyse prey. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury sourced
First aid
This ray can deliver a strong electric shock that may cause temporary numbness; do not touch a live or stranded specimen. After a shock, move the victim to safety and seek medical care if symptoms persist. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Diplobatis

More from the family Narcinidae

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