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Cortez electric ray (Narcine entemedor) — Narcinidae

Cortez electric ray

Narcine entemedor
Family: Narcinidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Cortez electric ray (Narcine entemedor) is a saltwater fish of the family Narcinidae that grows up to 76 cm.

Length
76 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Eastern Pacific; shallow sandy bottoms.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The giant electric ray is an electric ray (Narcinidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has a round, flattened body disc and, with specialised electric organs on either side of the head, can generate a powerful shock to stun prey and defend itself. It lives in shallow water on sandy bottoms, sometimes near reefs, where by day it buries itself and at night forages on worms and other benthic invertebrates. Owing to fishing the species is considered vulnerable. When touched it can give a painful electric shock.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cortez electric ray?

The Cortez electric ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Generates a powerful shock with electric organs to stun prey; buries itself in sand.

Where does the Cortez electric ray live?

The Cortez electric ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; shallow sandy bottoms.

How big does the Cortez electric ray get?

The Cortez electric ray grows to a maximum of about 76 cm.

Is the Cortez electric ray dangerous to humans?

The Cortez electric ray can cause injury; handle it with care. This ray can deliver a powerful electric shock that may cause muscle cramp or a fall; do not touch a live or freshly caught animal and seek medical help if symptoms persist.

Is the Cortez electric ray edible?

The Cortez electric ray is rarely eaten.

More photos

Cortez electric ray (Narcine entemedor) — Narcinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Simon Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cortez electric ray (Narcine entemedor) — Narcinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Cortez electric ray (Narcine entemedor) — Narcinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Tam Warner Minton from DAllas, usa (CC BY 2.0)
Cortez electric ray (Narcine entemedor) — Narcinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Tam Warner Minton from DAllas, usa (CC BY 2.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Cortez electric ray verified
Scientific name
Narcine entemedor
Family
Narcinidae
Other names
Cortez numbfish; Giant electric ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
76.0 sourced
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; shallow sandy bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Worms and other benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Generates a powerful shock with electric organs to stun prey; buries itself in sand. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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
Can cause injury sourced
First aid
This ray can deliver a powerful electric shock that may cause muscle cramp or a fall; do not touch a live or freshly caught animal and seek medical help if symptoms persist. 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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