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Onefin electric ray (Narke capensis) — Narkidae

Onefin electric ray

Narke capensis
Family: Narkidae
LC · Least Concern

The Onefin electric ray (Narke capensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Narkidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–183.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Southeast Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The onefin electric ray is an electric ray from the southeast Atlantic, along South Africa. The species grows to about 38 cm and has a round, flattened disc body and a short tail with a single dorsal fin. In the pectoral disc is a powerful electric organ with which it can deliver a strong shock to stun prey and defend itself. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sandy and muddy bottoms between about 20 and 183 metres and eats bristle worms. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Onefin electric ray?

The Onefin electric ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Powerful electric organ in the pectoral disc; can deliver a considerable shock

Where does the Onefin electric ray live?

The Onefin electric ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southeast Atlantic

How big does the Onefin electric ray get?

The Onefin electric ray grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Onefin electric ray dangerous to humans?

The Onefin electric ray can cause injury; handle it with care. The ray can deliver a powerful electric shock that may startle you or make you fall; do not touch it. If shocked: get out of the water, recover calmly and seek medical help if you have heart symptoms or have fallen.

Is the Onefin electric ray edible?

The Onefin electric ray is not usually eaten.

More photos

Onefin electric ray (Narke capensis) — Narkidae — 2
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Onefin electric ray (Narke capensis) — Narkidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sarah Ackland, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Onefin electric ray (Narke capensis) — Narkidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Onefin electric ray (Narke capensis) — Narkidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Onefin electric ray verified
Scientific name
Narke capensis
Family
Narkidae
Other names
Cape sleeper ray; Onefin electric ray; Cape numbfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
183.0 verified
Natural range
Southeast Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Polychaetes and small benthic invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Electric bottom ray; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Powerful electric organ in the pectoral disc; can deliver a considerable shock sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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
The ray can deliver a powerful electric shock that may startle you or make you fall; do not touch it. If shocked: get out of the water, recover calmly and seek medical help if you have heart symptoms or have fallen. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Narke

More from the family Narkidae

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