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Tentacled butterfly ray (Gymnura tentaculata) — Gymnuridae

Tentacled butterfly ray

Gymnura tentaculata
Family: Gymnuridae

The Tentacled butterfly ray (Gymnura tentaculata) is a saltwater fish of the family Gymnuridae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The tentacled butterfly ray is a butterfly ray (Gymnuridae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 1 metre wide and has a strongly flattened, broad diamond-shaped, sandy-brown body much wider than it is long, with a short tail and small skin tentacles by the spiracles. As a bottom-dweller it often lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms and seizes small fish and crustaceans. The short tail bears a venomous spine that can give a painful sting wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tentacled butterfly ray?

The Tentacled butterfly ray has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Tentacled butterfly ray live?

The Tentacled butterfly ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Tentacled butterfly ray get?

The Tentacled butterfly ray grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Tentacled butterfly ray dangerous to humans?

The Tentacled butterfly ray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Getentakelde vlinderrog sourced
English name
Tentacled butterfly ray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnura tentaculata
Family
Gymnuridae
Other names
Tentacled butterfly ray; Tentacled butterfly-ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
100 sourced
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gymnura

More from the family Gymnuridae

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