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Striped panray (Zanobatus schoenleinii) — Rhinobatidae

Striped panray

Zanobatus schoenleinii
Family: Rhinobatidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Striped panray (Zanobatus schoenleinii) is a saltwater fish of the family Rhinobatidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The striped panray is an almost round, disc-shaped ray of the family Zanobatidae (panrays) reaching about 1 metre. The nearly circular pectoral disc bears a handsome pattern of dark bands and marbling on a brown ground. The rear body is sturdier and more shark-like than in stingrays, with two dorsal fins on the tail, but without a venomous spine. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal water along the West African coast, where it often lies half-buried. On the bottom it hunts crabs, shrimps, worms and small fish. It is ovoviviparous. Through heavy fishing and bycatch it has declined and is assessed as Vulnerable (VU).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped panray?

The Striped panray has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Striped panray live?

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

How big does the Striped panray get?

The Striped panray grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Striped panray dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped panray is harmless to humans.

Is the Striped panray edible?

Yes, the Striped panray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Afrikaanse panrog verified
English name
Striped panray verified
Scientific name
Zanobatus schoenleinii
Family
Rhinobatidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled 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 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 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
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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 verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Rhinobatidae

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