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Australian cownose ray (Rhinoptera neglecta) — Myliobatidae

Australian cownose ray

Rhinoptera neglecta
Family: Myliobatidae

The Australian cownose ray (Rhinoptera neglecta) is a saltwater fish of the family Myliobatidae that grows up to 86 cm.

Length
86 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Australian cownose ray is an eagle ray (Rhinopteridae) from coastal waters of tropical Australia. The species grows to about 85 cm wide and has a flattened, diamond-shaped, brown body with pointed pectoral wings, an indented, cow-nosed snout and a long whip tail with one or more venomous spines at its base. As an active swimmer it travels in schools over sand and mud bottoms and crushes molluscs and crustaceans. The tail spine can give a painful sting wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian cownose ray?

The Australian cownose ray has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Australian cownose ray live?

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

How big does the Australian cownose ray get?

The Australian cownose ray grows to a maximum of about 86 cm.

Is the Australian cownose ray dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Australische koeneusrog sourced
English name
Australian cownose ray sourced
Scientific name
Rhinoptera neglecta
Family
Myliobatidae
Other names
Australian cownose ray; Australian cow-nose ray; Cow ray; Cow-nose ray; Flapray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
86.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Rhinoptera

More from the family Myliobatidae

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