Home · Myliobatidae · Devilray
Devilray (Mobula japanica) — Myliobatidae

Devilray

Mobula japanica
Family: Myliobatidae
EN · Endangered

The Devilray (Mobula japanica) is a saltwater fish of the family Myliobatidae that grows up to 310 cm.

Length
310 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–647.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The spinetail devil ray is a large, plankton-feeding ray of the family Mobulidae found worldwide in tropical and temperate oceans. The species can reach a wingspan of over three metres and has a flattened, diamond-shaped body with large pectoral fins that serve as wings, and two cephalic fins with which it guides food to the mouth. It lives pelagically, both inshore and in oceanic waters, singly or in groups, and feeds mainly on krill, supplemented with copepods and crustacean larvae. The species is ovoviviparous and usually bears a single pup. It can leap spectacularly from the water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Devilray?

The Devilray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Devilray live?

The Devilray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Devilray get?

The Devilray grows to a maximum of about 310 cm. On average the species is around 225 cm.

Is the Devilray dangerous to humans?

No, the Devilray is harmless to humans.

Is the Devilray edible?

Yes, the Devilray is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestekelde duivelsrog sourced
English name
Devilray verified
Scientific name
Mobula japanica
Family
Myliobatidae
Other names
Japanese devil ray; Japanese devilray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
310.0 verified
Average length (cm)
225.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
647.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Mobula

More from the family Myliobatidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →