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Banded eagle ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii) — Myliobatidae

Banded eagle ray

Aetomylaeus nichofii
Family: Myliobatidae

The Banded eagle ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Myliobatidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–100.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The banded eagle ray is an eagle ray (Myliobatidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 65 cm wide and has a rhomboid body with broad, wing-like pectoral fins and a few pale-blue bands across the back. Unlike many stingrays this species lacks a venomous tail spine. With flat crushing plates it crushes molluscs and crustaceans from sand and mud bottoms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded eagle ray?

The Banded eagle ray has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Banded eagle ray live?

The Banded eagle ray lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia and others

How big does the Banded eagle ray get?

The Banded eagle ray grows to a maximum of about 65 cm.

Is the Banded eagle ray dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded eagle ray is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Banded eagle ray edible?

Yes, the Banded eagle ray is commonly eaten.

More photos

Banded eagle ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii) — Myliobatidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany (CC BY 4.0)
Banded eagle ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii) — Myliobatidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany (CC BY 4.0)
Banded eagle ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii) — Myliobatidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) tibetissimo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded eagle ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii) — Myliobatidae — 5
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded eagle ray sourced
Scientific name
Aetomylaeus nichofii
Family
Myliobatidae
Other names
Banded eagle ray; Barbless eagle ray; Eagle ray; Neiuhof's eagle ray; Nieuhof's eagle ray; Nieuhof's eagle-ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia and others 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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Aetomylaeus

More from the family Myliobatidae

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