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Australian bull ray (Myliobatis australis) — Myliobatidae

Australian bull ray

Myliobatis australis
Family: Myliobatidae

The Australian bull ray (Myliobatis australis) is a saltwater fish of the family Myliobatidae that grows up to 120 cm.

Length
120 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–85.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Australian bull ray is an eagle ray (Myliobatidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 120 cm across and has a diamond-shaped, flattened disc with long, wing-like pectoral fins, a rounded head and a long, whip-like tail with a venomous spine. The back is olive-brown with faint pale bands and spots. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims over sand and reef bottoms and crushes molluscs and crustaceans with plate-like teeth. The tail spine can inflict a very painful wound; remain cautious.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian bull ray?

The Australian bull ray has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Australian bull ray live?

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

How big does the Australian bull ray get?

The Australian bull ray grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.

Is the Australian bull ray dangerous to humans?

The Australian bull ray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Leave the water and rinse the wound with clean water; do not remove embedded spine fragments on the spot. Immerse the affected part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45C) to ease pain. A sting to the torso, chest or abdomen is an emergency: call medical help immediately and check tetanus status.

More photos

Australian bull ray (Myliobatis australis) — Myliobatidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) trixieteapot, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Australian bull ray (Myliobatis australis) — Myliobatidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Danny Melville, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Australian bull ray (Myliobatis australis) — Myliobatidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Lachlan Macnaughtan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Australian bull ray (Myliobatis australis) — Myliobatidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Sylke Rohrlach from Sydney (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Australian bull ray sourced
Scientific name
Myliobatis australis
Family
Myliobatidae
Other names
Australian bull ray; Bull-ray; Cowfish; Cowray; Eagle ray; Fly-aways; Mill ray; Ray; Southern eagle ray; Whip ray; Whiptail ray verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
85.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
Leave the water and rinse the wound with clean water; do not remove embedded spine fragments on the spot. Immerse the affected part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45C) to ease pain. A sting to the torso, chest or abdomen is an emergency: call medical help immediately and check tetanus status. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Myliobatis

More from the family Myliobatidae

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