Home · Narcinidae · Vermiculate electric ray
Vermiculate electric ray (Narcine vermiculatus) — Narcinidae

Vermiculate electric ray

Narcine vermiculatus
Family: Narcinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Vermiculate electric ray (Narcine vermiculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Narcinidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10–60 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The vermiculate electric ray is an electric ray from the eastern Pacific, ranging from the Gulf of California to Panama. The species grows to about 60 cm and has an almost round, flat disc with a striking worm-like (vermiculate) pattern on the back. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives on soft bottoms of sheltered coastal waters between about 10 and 60 metres depth and feeds on small bottom animals. It has electric organs with which it can deliver a shock; when handled this can give an unpleasant, painful jolt. The species is ovoviviparous. The IUCN assesses it as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Vermiculate electric ray?

The Vermiculate electric ray has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Vermiculate electric ray live?

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

How big does the Vermiculate electric ray get?

The Vermiculate electric ray grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Vermiculate electric ray dangerous to humans?

The Vermiculate electric ray can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Vermiculate electric ray edible?

The Vermiculate electric ray is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gemarmerde sidderrog verified
English name
Vermiculate electric ray verified
Scientific name
Narcine vermiculatus
Family
Narcinidae
Other names
Raya electrica rayada sourced

Appearance

Max length (cm)
60.0 sourced
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10 sourced
Max depth (m)
60 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury 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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