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Atlantic Stingray (Hypanus sabinus) — Dasyatidae

Atlantic Stingray

Hypanus sabinus
Family: Dasyatidae
LC · Least Concern

The Atlantic Stingray (Hypanus sabinus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Dasyatidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Atlantic stingray is a whiptail stingray (family Dasyatidae) of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 61 cm and has a rhomboid, flattened pectoral disc in shades of brown and a tail with a venomous spine. It inhabits coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons and ascends rivers remarkably far; it can even live in fresh water. Its diet consists of tube anemones, polychaete worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. The spine can cause painful, venomous sting wounds, especially when accidentally stepped on. The species is otherwise harmless and often lies buried in sand or mud.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atlantic Stingray?

The Atlantic Stingray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Atlantic Stingray live?

The Atlantic Stingray lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Atlantic Stingray get?

The Atlantic Stingray grows to a maximum of about 61 cm. On average the species is around 27 cm.

Is the Atlantic Stingray dangerous to humans?

No, the Atlantic Stingray is harmless to humans.

Is the Atlantic Stingray edible?

The Atlantic Stingray is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Atlantische pijlstaartrog sourced
English name
Atlantic Stingray verified
Scientific name
Hypanus sabinus
Family
Dasyatidae
Other names
Atlantic stingray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Average length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hypanus

More from the family Dasyatidae

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