Home · Torpedinidae · Blackspotted electric ray
Blackspotted electric ray (Torpedo fuscomaculata) — Torpedinidae

Blackspotted electric ray

Torpedo fuscomaculata
Family: Torpedinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackspotted electric ray (Torpedo fuscomaculata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Torpedinidae that grows up to 64 cm.

Length
64 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–439.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blackspotted electric ray is a torpedo ray from the western Indian Ocean, off East Africa and nearby islands. The species grows to about 64 cm and has a round, flat body disc with dark spots on the back. The pectoral fins house powerful electric organs with which it can deliver a strong shock to stun prey and defend itself. As a bottom-dweller it often lies buried in sand or gravel. The shock can give a person a painful surprise. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspotted electric ray?

The Blackspotted electric ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blackspotted electric ray live?

The Blackspotted electric ray lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blackspotted electric ray get?

The Blackspotted electric ray grows to a maximum of about 64 cm.

Is the Blackspotted electric ray dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Blackspotted electric ray edible?

The Blackspotted electric ray is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Reunionsidderrog sourced
English name
Blackspotted electric ray verified
Scientific name
Torpedo fuscomaculata
Family
Torpedinidae
Other names
Blackspotted electric ray; Black-spotted torpedo verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
64.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
439.0 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
Not eaten sourced
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
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Torpedo

More from the family Torpedinidae

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