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Mozambique electric ray (Narcine rierai) — Narcinidae

Mozambique electric ray

Narcine rierai
Family: Narcinidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Mozambique electric ray (Narcine rierai) is a saltwater fish of the family Narcinidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
170–500 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Indian Ocean, off Mozambique and South Africa.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Mozambique electric ray is a small electric ray (Narcinidae) from the western Indian Ocean, off the coast of Mozambique and South Africa. The species reaches about 30 cm and has a flattened, oval body with a short tail. In the pectoral disc it has paired electric organs with which it can generate a shock to stun prey and defend itself. It lives bathydemersally on the continental slope, at depths of about 170 to 500 m, and feeds on small bottom invertebrates. The species is ovoviviparous with low fecundity and is known from only a few specimens (DD).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mozambique electric ray?

The Mozambique electric ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Paired electric organs with which the ray can deliver a shock; ovoviviparous.

Where does the Mozambique electric ray live?

The Mozambique electric ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Indian Ocean, off Mozambique and South Africa.

How big does the Mozambique electric ray get?

The Mozambique electric ray grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Mozambique electric ray dangerous to humans?

No, the Mozambique electric ray is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Mozambique electric ray edible?

The Mozambique electric ray is not usually eaten.

More photos

Mozambique electric ray (Narcine rierai) — Narcinidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Mozambique electric ray (Narcine rierai) — Narcinidae — 3
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Mozambique electric ray (Narcine rierai) — Narcinidae — 4
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB

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All data

Identification

English name
Mozambique electric ray verified
Scientific name
Narcine rierai
Family
Narcinidae
Other names
Mozambique numbfish; Slender electric ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.1 verified
Average length (cm)
18 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
170 verified
Max depth (m)
500 verified
Natural range
Western Indian Ocean, off Mozambique and South Africa.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates (worms and crustaceans) sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Paired electric organs with which the ray can deliver a shock; ovoviviparous. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
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 Narcine

More from the family Narcinidae

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