Fin's Fish Guide
The Ringed torpedo (Torpedo mackayana) is a saltwater fish of the family Torpedinidae that grows up to 40 cm.
Eastern Atlantic along the coast of West Africa, buried in sandy and silty bottoms of shallow coastal water and estuaries.
Description
Mackay's torpedo is a round, disc-shaped electric ray of the family Torpedinidae reaching about 40 cm. The almost circular pectoral disc is brown with a marbled and blotched pattern. In the disc, on either side of the head, sit large electric organs with which the ray can deliver a powerful, stunning shock - both to overpower prey and in defence. The species lies buried on sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal water and estuaries along the West African coast. It surprises fish by stunning them with a shock and then swallowing them. It is ovoviviparous. Through fishing and bycatch it has declined sharply and is assessed as Endangered (EN).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Ringed torpedo?
The Ringed torpedo has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Round, disc-shaped electric ray with large electric organs in the pectoral disc, with which it delivers a stunning electric shock.
Where does the Ringed torpedo live?
The Ringed torpedo lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic along the coast of West Africa, buried in sandy and silty bottoms of shallow coastal water and estuaries.
How big does the Ringed torpedo get?
The Ringed torpedo grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.
Is the Ringed torpedo dangerous to humans?
The Ringed torpedo can cause injury; handle it with care. This electric ray can deliver a powerful, stunning electric shock with its electric organs that can knock a person off balance; do not touch a caught or buried animal.
Is the Ringed torpedo edible?
The Ringed torpedo is rarely eaten.
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All data
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Appearance
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Status & sources
Same genus Torpedo
More from the family Torpedinidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ringed torpedo is one of 12,519 species in the app.