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Apron ray (Discopyge tschudii) — Narcinidae

Apron ray

Discopyge tschudii
Family: Narcinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Apron ray (Discopyge tschudii) is a saltwater fish of the family Narcinidae that grows up to 54 cm.

Length
53.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–165.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Around southern South America; continental shelf.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The apron ray is an electric ray (Narcinidae) from the coastal waters around southern South America. The species has a round, flattened, disc-shaped body and a short tail. Like other electric rays it bears an electric organ in the pectoral disc with which it can deliver a shock to stun prey and defend itself. It lives bottom-bound on the continental shelf and feeds on worms and crustaceans. It is ovoviviparous. When touched it can deliver an electric shock.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Apron ray?

The Apron ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Electric organ in the pectoral disc to stun prey and to defend itself; gives a shock on contact.

Where does the Apron ray live?

The Apron ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Around southern South America; continental shelf.

How big does the Apron ray get?

The Apron ray grows to a maximum of about 54 cm. On average the species is around 42 cm.

Is the Apron ray dangerous to humans?

The Apron ray can cause injury; handle it with care. Not venomous, but this ray can deliver a shock with an electric organ when touched; do not touch or step on it. Seek medical care for symptoms.

Is the Apron ray edible?

The Apron ray is rarely eaten.

More photos

Apron ray (Discopyge tschudii) — Narcinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Almendras G. (CC BY 4.0)
Apron ray (Discopyge tschudii) — Narcinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Pollerspoeck Juergen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Apron ray (Discopyge tschudii) — Narcinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Almendras G. (CC BY 4.0)
Apron ray (Discopyge tschudii) — Narcinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Victor Molina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Apron ray verified
Scientific name
Discopyge tschudii
Family
Narcinidae
Other names
Electric ray verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
165.0 verified
Natural range
Around southern South America; continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Worms and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Electric organ in the pectoral disc to stun prey and to defend itself; gives a shock on contact. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury sourced
First aid
Not venomous, but this ray can deliver a shock with an electric organ when touched; do not touch or step on it. Seek medical care for symptoms. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Narcinidae

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