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Brazilian electric ray (Narcine brasiliensis) — Narcinidae

Brazilian electric ray

Narcine brasiliensis
Family: Narcinidae
NT · Near Threatened

The Brazilian electric ray (Narcine brasiliensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Narcinidae that grows up to 54 cm.

Length
54 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–43.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Western Atlantic, in coastal waters on sand and muddy bottoms, sometimes near coral reefs.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Brazilian electric ray is an electric ray (family Narcinidae) of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 54 cm and has a flattened, disc-shaped body in shades of brown with dark spots or rings. It inhabits coastal waters on sand and mud bottoms, often along sandy shores and sometimes near coral reefs, and aggregates in shallow water in summer. With paired electric organs it can deliver a shock to stun prey and defend itself. Its diet consists of polychaete worms, small crustaceans and other bottom invertebrates. The species is considered Near Threatened (NT).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brazilian electric ray?

The Brazilian electric ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Can deliver an electric shock with paired electric organs to stun prey and to defend itself; often lies buried in sand.

Where does the Brazilian electric ray live?

The Brazilian electric ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic, in coastal waters on sand and muddy bottoms, sometimes near coral reefs.

How big does the Brazilian electric ray get?

The Brazilian electric ray grows to a maximum of about 54 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Brazilian electric ray dangerous to humans?

The Brazilian electric ray can cause injury; handle it with care. This ray can deliver an electric shock; do not touch it. After a shock: get the person to dry land, keep them calm and seek medical advice if symptoms occur.

Is the Brazilian electric ray edible?

The Brazilian electric ray is rarely eaten.

More photos

Brazilian electric ray (Narcine brasiliensis) — Narcinidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Brazilian electric ray (Narcine brasiliensis) — Narcinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Jacques Burkhardt (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Brazilian electric ray verified
Scientific name
Narcine brasiliensis
Family
Narcinidae
Other names
Bvrazilian electric ray; Electric ray; Lesser electric ray; Lesser numbfish; Small electric ray; Spotted torpedo ray; Torpedofish; Trembler verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
54.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
43.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic, in coastal waters on sand and muddy bottoms, sometimes near coral reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Polychaetes, small crustaceans and other benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Can deliver an electric shock with paired electric organs to stun prey and to defend itself; often lies buried in sand. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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
Can cause injury sourced
First aid
This ray can deliver an electric shock; do not touch it. After a shock: get the person to dry land, keep them calm and seek medical advice if symptoms occur. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Narcine

More from the family Narcinidae

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