Fin's Fish Guide
The Banded whiptail ray (Maculabatis gerrardi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Dasyatidae that grows up to 200 cm.
Description
The whitespotted whipray is a large stingray from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 200 cm including the tail and has a flat, rhomboid body disc with white spots and a very long, whip-like tail with a venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried in sand or mud of shallow coastal and estuarine water and searches for crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. The venomous spine can inflict a painful, venomous puncture wound. Owing to fishing the IUCN assesses it as Endangered (EN).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Banded whiptail ray?
The Banded whiptail ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small white spots and a long whip-like tail with a venomous spine; burrowing bottom ray
Where does the Banded whiptail ray live?
The Banded whiptail ray lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Banded whiptail ray get?
The Banded whiptail ray grows to a maximum of about 200 cm.
Is the Banded whiptail ray dangerous to humans?
The Banded whiptail ray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. If stung by the tail spine: immerse the wound immediately in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C) for 30-90 minutes to break down the venom, remove visible spine fragments, and seek medical help.
Is the Banded whiptail ray edible?
The Banded whiptail ray is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Maculabatis
More from the family Dasyatidae
Want the complete picture on the Banded whiptail ray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Banded whiptail ray is one of 12,519 species in the app.