Fin's Fish Guide
The Jenkins whipray (Pateobatis jenkinsii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Dasyatidae that grows up to 130 cm.
Description
The Jenkins whipray is a large stingray from the Indo-Pacific, from South Africa to New Guinea and the Philippines. The species grows to about 1.3 metres wide and has a rhomboid, brown disc body with a row of enlarged thorns over the back and a long whip-like tail. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sandy and muddy bottoms between about 33 and 50 metres and eats crustaceans and molluscs. In the tail it carries a serrated venomous spine. Through fishing pressure it is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Jenkins whipray?
The Jenkins whipray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Row of enlarged small dorsal thorns and a long whip-like tail with a serrated venomous spine
Where does the Jenkins whipray live?
The Jenkins whipray lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-Pacific
How big does the Jenkins whipray get?
The Jenkins whipray grows to a maximum of about 130 cm.
Is the Jenkins whipray dangerous to humans?
The Jenkins whipray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. The serrated tail spine is venomous. If stung: let it bleed, clean it and immerse 30-90 minutes in water as hot as tolerable (about 45 C); do not remove a spine lodged in chest or abdomen but call emergency services and always seek medical help.
Is the Jenkins whipray edible?
The Jenkins whipray is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Pateobatis
More from the family Dasyatidae
Want the complete picture on the Jenkins whipray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Jenkins whipray is one of 12,519 species in the app.