Fin's Fish Guide
The Marbled stingray (Dasyatis marmorata) is a saltwater fish of the family Dasyatidae that grows up to 75 cm.
Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, over sandy and silty bottoms of shallow coastal water and the continental shelf.
Description
The marbled stingray is a whip-tailed ray of the family Dasyatidae reaching a disc width of about 75 cm. The diamond-shaped disc is slightly wider than long and has a finely marbled, brown-grey upper side, good camouflage on sand bottoms. The long, whip-like tail bears one or more venomous spines. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal water and the continental shelf in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. On the bottom it searches, mainly at night, for crabs, shrimps, worms and small fish, which it crushes with flat jaw plates. Through fishing and bycatch it has declined and is assessed as Near Threatened (NT).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Marbled stingray?
The Marbled stingray has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Diamond-shaped stingray with a finely marbled, brown-grey back and a long whip-like tail with a venomous spine.
Where does the Marbled stingray live?
The Marbled stingray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, over sandy and silty bottoms of shallow coastal water and the continental shelf.
How big does the Marbled stingray get?
The Marbled stingray grows to a maximum of about 75 cm.
Is the Marbled stingray dangerous to humans?
The Marbled stingray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. The tail bears one or more venomous spines: a sting is very painful. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical help.
Is the Marbled stingray edible?
The Marbled stingray is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Marbled 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 Marbled stingray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Marbled stingray is one of 12,519 species in the app.