Fin's Fish Guide
The Round fantail stingray (Taeniura grabata) is a saltwater fish of the family Dasyatidae that grows up to 250 cm.
Eastern Atlantic, the Macaronesian islands and the Mediterranean Sea, over sandy and rocky bottoms of coastal water.
Description
The round fantail stingray is a large whip-tailed ray of the family Dasyatidae reaching a disc width of about 1.5 metres and a total length of around 2.5 metres. The pectoral disc is almost circular; the upper side is grey-brown, in some animals scattered with pale spots. The fairly short, broad tail bears a low fin fold and one or more venomous spines. The species lives on sand and rock bottoms of coastal water in the eastern Atlantic, around the Macaronesian islands and in the Mediterranean. On the bottom it searches, mainly at night, for crabs, crustaceans, molluscs 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 Round fantail stingray?
The Round fantail stingray has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Large, almost round stingray with a short, broad tail bearing a fin fold and one or more venomous spines; sometimes scattered with pale blotches.
Where does the Round fantail stingray live?
The Round fantail stingray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic, the Macaronesian islands and the Mediterranean Sea, over sandy and rocky bottoms of coastal water.
How big does the Round fantail stingray get?
The Round fantail stingray grows to a maximum of about 250 cm.
Is the Round fantail stingray dangerous to humans?
The Round fantail 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 Round fantail stingray edible?
The Round fantail stingray is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Taeniura
More from the family Dasyatidae
Want the complete picture on the Round fantail stingray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Round fantail stingray is one of 12,519 species in the app.