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Davies' sting ray (Plesiobatis daviesi) — Plesiobatidae

Davies' sting ray

Plesiobatis daviesi
Family: Plesiobatidae
LC · Least Concern

The Davies' sting ray (Plesiobatis daviesi) is a saltwater fish of the family Plesiobatidae that grows up to 270 cm.

Length
270 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
44.0–780.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The deepwater stingray is a large stingray occurring worldwide in deep tropical waters. The species grows to about 2.7 metres and has an almost round, dark disc body and a fleshy tail with a serrated venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it lives on the deep continental slope and eats crustaceans, molluscs and fish. The venomous spine can give a serious sting wound, though the chance of contact is small given its deep habitat. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Davies' sting ray?

The Davies' sting ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Davies' sting ray live?

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

How big does the Davies' sting ray get?

The Davies' sting ray grows to a maximum of about 270 cm.

Is the Davies' sting ray dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Davies' sting ray edible?

The Davies' sting ray is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Reuzendoornrog sourced
English name
Davies' sting ray verified
Scientific name
Plesiobatis daviesi
Family
Plesiobatidae
Other names
Davie's stingray; Deep water stingray; Deepwater stingray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
270.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

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

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