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Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) — Myliobatidae

Sicklefin devil ray

Mobula tarapacana
Family: Myliobatidae

The Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) is a saltwater fish of the family Myliobatidae that grows up to 328 cm.

Length
328 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1896.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Australia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Colombia and others
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The sicklefin devil ray is a large devil ray (Mobulidae) from warm, open parts of all oceans. The species grows to about 3.3 metres wide and has a rhomboid, olive-brown body with long, sickle-shaped pectoral fins and two forward-projecting head fins with which it guides food to the mouth. As an open-water filter feeder it sieves zooplankton and small fish from the water and can dive to great depth. Unlike stingrays it has no functional venomous spine. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sicklefin devil ray?

The Sicklefin devil ray has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Sicklefin devil ray live?

The Sicklefin devil ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Australia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Colombia and others

How big does the Sicklefin devil ray get?

The Sicklefin devil ray grows to a maximum of about 328 cm. On average the species is around 250 cm.

Is the Sicklefin devil ray dangerous to humans?

No, the Sicklefin 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 Sicklefin devil ray edible?

The Sicklefin devil ray is rarely eaten.

More photos

Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) — Myliobatidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany hamid61612002@yahoo.com Pakistan Karachi (CC BY 3.0)
Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) — Myliobatidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Clinton Duffy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) — Myliobatidae — 4
Rob Idema (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) — Myliobatidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Sicklefin devil ray sourced
Scientific name
Mobula tarapacana
Family
Myliobatidae
Other names
Devil ray; Greater Guinean mobula; Sicklefin devil ray; Chilean devil ray; Spiny mobula verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
328.0 verified
Average length (cm)
250.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1896.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Australia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Colombia 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
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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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