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Longnose Stingray (Hypanus guttatus) — Dasyatidae

Longnose Stingray

Hypanus guttatus
Family: Dasyatidae
NT · Near Threatened

The Longnose Stingray (Hypanus guttatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Dasyatidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–36.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Sandy and muddy bottoms of the western Atlantic.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The longnose stingray (Hypanus guttatus) is a stingray of the family Dasyatidae from the western Atlantic. The species has a diamond-shaped, brownish pectoral disc and owes its name to its relatively pointed snout; the disc can reach about one metre across and the tail is long and whip-like. It lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf to at least 35 metres deep and also enters brackish water; juveniles are found in tide pools. The diet consists of bottom invertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans and worms. On the tail it bears a venomous spine with which it can cause painful wounds. The species is considered Near Threatened (NT).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longnose Stingray?

The Longnose Stingray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Relatively pointed snout and a long tail with a venomous spine; inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms (NT).

Where does the Longnose Stingray live?

The Longnose Stingray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Sandy and muddy bottoms of the western Atlantic.

How big does the Longnose Stingray get?

The Longnose Stingray grows to a maximum of about 200 cm. On average the species is around 125 cm.

Is the Longnose Stingray dangerous to humans?

The Longnose Stingray can cause injury; handle it with care. A sting from the venomous tail spine is very painful and can cause a deep wound. Rinse the wound with (sea)water, remove any visible material and immerse the affected part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 °C); always seek medical help, especially for a wound to the trunk or chest.

Is the Longnose Stingray edible?

The Longnose Stingray is rarely eaten.

More photos

Longnose Stingray (Hypanus guttatus) — Dasyatidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Hugo Vinicius de Sousa Albuquerque Filho, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Longnose Stingray verified
Scientific name
Hypanus guttatus
Family
Dasyatidae
Other names
Longnose stingray; Stingray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Average length (cm)
125.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous 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)
36.0 verified
Natural range
Sandy and muddy bottoms of the western Atlantic. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Molluscs, crustaceans and worms 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
Relatively pointed snout and a long tail with a venomous spine; inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms (NT). 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
A sting from the venomous tail spine is very painful and can cause a deep wound. Rinse the wound with (sea)water, remove any visible material and immerse the affected part for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 °C); always seek medical help, especially for a wound to the trunk or chest. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hypanus

More from the family Dasyatidae

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