Home · Urotrygonidae · Maid
Maid (Urobatis jamaicensis) — Urotrygonidae

Maid

Urobatis jamaicensis
Family: Urotrygonidae
LC · Least Concern

The Maid (Urobatis jamaicensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Urotrygonidae that grows up to 76 cm.

Length
76 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The yellow stingray is a small stingray of the round stingray family (Urotrygonidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 76 cm (including the tail) and has a nearly round, flattened pectoral disc with a fine, net-like pattern in yellow, brown and green tones, camouflaging it excellently on the sand bottom. It is common along sandy beaches up to the water's edge. As a bottom hunter it digs in the sand for worms, crustaceans and small fishes. On the tail is a serrated, venomous spine; a sting causes severe pain, so never step on a resting ray and keep your distance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Maid?

The Maid has an irregular in shape body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Maid live?

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

How big does the Maid get?

The Maid grows to a maximum of about 76 cm.

Is the Maid dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Maid edible?

The Maid is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Jamaicaanse doornrog sourced
English name
Maid verified
Scientific name
Urobatis jamaicensis
Family
Urotrygonidae
Other names
Round stingray; Yellow spotted stingray; Yellow stingray; Yellow Stingray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
76.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Urobatis

More from the family Urotrygonidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →