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Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) — Myliobatidae

Sicklefin devil ray

Mobula tarapacana
Family: Myliobatidae

The Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) is a saltwater fish of the family Myliobatidae that grows up to 328 cm.

Length
328 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1896.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The sicklefin devil ray is a large devil ray (Mobulidae) from warm, open parts of all oceans. The species grows to about 3.3 metres wide and has a rhomboid, olive-brown body with long, sickle-shaped pectoral fins and two forward-projecting head fins with which it guides food to the mouth. As an open-water filter feeder it sieves zooplankton and small fish from the water and can dive to great depth. Unlike stingrays it has no functional venomous spine. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sicklefin devil ray?

The Sicklefin devil ray has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Sicklefin devil ray live?

The Sicklefin devil ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Sicklefin devil ray get?

The Sicklefin devil ray grows to a maximum of about 328 cm. On average the species is around 250 cm.

Is the Sicklefin devil ray dangerous to humans?

No, the Sicklefin devil ray is harmless to humans.

Is the Sicklefin devil ray edible?

The Sicklefin devil ray is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sikkelvin-duivelsrog sourced
English name
Sicklefin devil ray sourced
Scientific name
Mobula tarapacana
Family
Myliobatidae
Other names
Devil ray; Greater Guinean mobula; Sicklefin devil ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
328.0 verified
Average length (cm)
250.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1896.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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