Fin's Fish Guide
The Chupare stingray (Himantura schmardae) is a fish of the family Dasyatidae that grows up to 120 cm.
Description
The Chupare stingray is a whipray (Dasyatidae) from coastal, brackish and estuarine water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 1.2 metres wide and has a flattened, almost round, grey-brown body with rounded wings and a long, thin whip tail bearing a venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it searches sand and mud bottoms for crustaceans, molluscs and worms. The tail spine can give an extremely painful sting wound.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Chupare stingray?
The Chupare stingray is mainly brown. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.
Where does the Chupare stingray live?
The Chupare stingray is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.
How big does the Chupare stingray get?
The Chupare stingray grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.
Is the Chupare stingray dangerous to humans?
The Chupare stingray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. For a sting from the tail spine: rinse the wound with seawater, apply pressure to limit bleeding and immerse the part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C). The wound is often deep and may contain spine fragments; seek medical care, have the wound cleaned and check tetanus status.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Himantura
More from the family Dasyatidae
Want the complete picture on the Chupare stingray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Chupare stingray is one of 12,519 species in the app.