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Coastal stingaree (Urolophus orarius) — Urolophidae

Coastal stingaree

Urolophus orarius
Family: Urolophidae

The Coastal stingaree (Urolophus orarius) is a saltwater fish of the family Urolophidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–50.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Coastal stingaree is a stingaree (Urolophidae) from shallow sandy and seagrass water of southern Australia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a round to oval, flat disc and a fairly short tail with a small fin fold at the end. Half-buried it searches for worms, crustaceans and molluscs. In its tail it carries one or more venomous, serrated spines that give a very painful wound; it stings only in defence when touched or stepped on.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coastal stingaree?

The Coastal stingaree has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Coastal stingaree live?

The Coastal stingaree lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Coastal stingaree get?

The Coastal stingaree grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Coastal stingaree dangerous to humans?

The Coastal stingaree is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. A sting from the tail's venomous spine is very painful: rinse the wound, remove any visible spine fragments and immerse the part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C). Because of the risk of a deep wound and retained tissue, medical assessment is advised; update tetanus protection and watch for signs of infection.

More photos

Coastal stingaree (Urolophus orarius) — Urolophidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) juddysa, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coastal stingaree (Urolophus orarius) — Urolophidae — 3
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Coastal stingaree (Urolophus orarius) — Urolophidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) seaborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coastal stingaree (Urolophus orarius) — Urolophidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Kelly Forbes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Coastal stingaree sourced
Scientific name
Urolophus orarius
Family
Urolophidae
Other names
Coastal stingaree verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
A sting from the tail's venomous spine is very painful: rinse the wound, remove any visible spine fragments and immerse the part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C). Because of the risk of a deep wound and retained tissue, medical assessment is advised; update tetanus protection and watch for signs of infection. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Urolophus

More from the family Urolophidae

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