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Devilray (Mobula japanica) — Myliobatidae

Devilray

Mobula japanica
Family: Myliobatidae
EN · Endangered

The Devilray (Mobula japanica) is a saltwater fish of the family Myliobatidae that grows up to 310 cm.

Length
310 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–647 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Tropical and temperate oceans worldwide.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The spinetail devil ray is a large, plankton-feeding ray of the family Mobulidae found worldwide in tropical and temperate oceans. The species can reach a wingspan of over three metres and has a flattened, diamond-shaped body with large pectoral fins that serve as wings, and two cephalic fins with which it guides food to the mouth. It lives pelagically, both inshore and in oceanic waters, singly or in groups, and feeds mainly on krill, supplemented with copepods and crustacean larvae. The species is ovoviviparous and usually bears a single pup. It can leap spectacularly from the water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Devilray?

The Devilray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern. Large plankton-eating devil ray that guides food to the mouth with its cephalic fins and can leap out of the water.

Where does the Devilray live?

The Devilray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Tropical and temperate oceans worldwide.

How big does the Devilray get?

The Devilray grows to a maximum of about 310 cm. On average the species is around 225 cm.

Is the Devilray dangerous to humans?

No, the Devilray is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Devilray edible?

Yes, the Devilray is commonly eaten.

More photos

Devilray (Mobula japanica) — Myliobatidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — BEDO (Thailand) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Devilray (Mobula japanica) — Myliobatidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Devilray (Mobula japanica) — Myliobatidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — OpenCage.info (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Devilray (Mobula japanica) — Myliobatidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — José María Mateos from Madrid, Spain (CC BY 2.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Devilray verified
Scientific name
Mobula japanica
Family
Myliobatidae
Other names
Japanese devil ray; Japanese devilray; Spinetail mobula; Devil ray; Spinetail devil ray; Devil fish; Giant Devil Ray; Manta; Devilfish; Giant devilray; Horny ray; Longhorned mobula verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
310 verified
Average length (cm)
225 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Black
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
647 verified
Natural range
Tropical and temperate oceans worldwide.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Krill (mysids), copepods and crustacean larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Large plankton-eating devil ray that guides food to the mouth with its cephalic fins and can leap out of the water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Mobula

More from the family Myliobatidae

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