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Sailray (Rajella lintea) — Rajidae

Sailray

Rajella lintea
Family: Rajidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sailray (Rajella lintea) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 125 cm.

Length
125 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
150.0–2117.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sailray is a large deep-sea ray of the family Rajidae reaching about 1.25 metres. The diamond-shaped body, formed by the pectoral fins fused to the head, is brownish above with a strikingly pale, almost white underside; rows of thorns run down the back and tail. The species lives on mud and sand bottoms of the continental slope in the cold, deep northern Atlantic, usually between one hundred and fifty and over two thousand metres. On the bottom it hunts bottom crustaceans, worms and small fish. It lays eggs in horny capsules and grows slowly. Because of its deep-sea life it is rarely observed and has no targeted fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sailray?

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

Where does the Sailray live?

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

How big does the Sailray get?

The Sailray grows to a maximum of about 125 cm.

Is the Sailray dangerous to humans?

No, the Sailray is harmless to humans.

Is the Sailray edible?

The Sailray is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zeilrog sourced
English name
Sailray verified
Scientific name
Rajella lintea
Family
Rajidae
Other names
Pale ray; Sailray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
125.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
150.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2117.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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 Rajella

More from the family Rajidae

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