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Shortfin devil ray (Mobula kuhlii) — Myliobatidae

Shortfin devil ray

Mobula kuhlii
Family: Myliobatidae
EN · Endangered

The Shortfin devil ray (Mobula kuhlii) is a saltwater fish of the family Myliobatidae that grows up to 119 cm.

Length
119 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Shortfin devil ray is a devil ray (Mobulidae) from the open Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 1.2 metres across and has a diamond-shaped, flattened body with long, wing-like pectoral fins and a pair of horn-like cephalic fins that guide food to the mouth. Unlike many stingrays it lacks a functional venomous spine. As a filter feeder it swims in schools through open water and strains zooplankton and small fish. Through fishery bycatch the species is endangered. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortfin devil ray?

The Shortfin devil ray has an irregular in shape body and is mainly black.

Where does the Shortfin devil ray live?

The Shortfin devil ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines and others

How big does the Shortfin devil ray get?

The Shortfin devil ray grows to a maximum of about 119 cm.

Is the Shortfin devil ray dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortfin devil ray is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Shortfin devil ray edible?

Yes, the Shortfin devil ray is commonly eaten.

More photos

Shortfin devil ray (Mobula kuhlii) — Myliobatidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — BEDO (Thailand) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Shortfin devil ray (Mobula kuhlii) — Myliobatidae — 3
Jafet Potenzo Lopes (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Shortfin devil ray (Mobula kuhlii) — Myliobatidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Tony Strazzari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Shortfin devil ray (Mobula kuhlii) — Myliobatidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Nikolai Vladimirov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Shortfin devil ray sourced
Scientific name
Mobula kuhlii
Family
Myliobatidae
Other names
Lesser devilray; Shortfin devil ray; Shortfin pygmy devil ray; Kuhl's devilray; Shorthorn devilray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
119.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Mobula

More from the family Myliobatidae

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