Fin's Fish Guide
The Common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca) is a saltwater fish of the family Dasyatidae that grows up to 70 cm.
Eastern Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, on sandy and silty bottoms in shallow to moderately deep water.
Description
The common stingray is a flat cartilaginous fish of the family Dasyatidae reaching a disc width of about 60 cm. The diamond-shaped, wing-like body, formed by the pectoral fins fused to the head, is brownish to grey and smooth; the long, whip-like tail bears a large, serrated venomous spine. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of the eastern Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, often half-buried in shallow water. On the bottom it hunts crabs, shrimps, worms, shellfish and small fish. It is ovoviviparous and bears live young. The venomous spine can give a very painful wound; never step on a buried ray. Due to fishing the species is assessed as Vulnerable (VU).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Common stingray?
The Common stingray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Flat ray with a diamond-shaped, wing-like disc and a long, whip-like tail with a large, serrated venomous spine.
Where does the Common stingray live?
The Common stingray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, on sandy and silty bottoms in shallow to moderately deep water.
How big does the Common stingray get?
The Common stingray grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.
Is the Common stingray dangerous to humans?
The Common stingray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. The large, serrated spine on the tail is venomous and gives a very painful, deep puncture wound. Shuffle your feet in shallow water to scare rays off; immerse a sting in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 40-45 °C) and seek medical help.
Is the Common stingray edible?
The Common stingray is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Common stingray and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Dasyatis
More from the family Dasyatidae
Want the complete picture on the Common stingray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Common stingray is one of 12,519 species in the app.