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Striped stingaree (Trygonoptera ovalis) — Urolophidae

Striped stingaree

Trygonoptera ovalis
Family: Urolophidae

The Striped stingaree (Trygonoptera ovalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Urolophidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
4.0–43.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The striped stingaree is a stingaree (Urolophidae) from coastal waters of southwestern Australia. The species grows to about 61 cm and has an oval, flattened, grey-brown body disc and a short, fleshy tail with one or more serrated venomous spines and a caudal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried on sand and reef bottoms and crushes molluscs, crustaceans and worms. It is not aggressive, but the tail spine can inflict a severely painful, venomous wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped stingaree?

The Striped stingaree has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Striped stingaree live?

The Striped stingaree lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Striped stingaree get?

The Striped stingaree grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.

Is the Striped stingaree dangerous to humans?

The Striped stingaree is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Do not step on the tail or grab the fish by the tail. For a sting: immediately immerse the wound in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C, not scalding) for 30-90 minutes to break down the protein venom; have any retained spine fragments removed. Pain is severe: always seek medical help and check tetanus status.

More photos

Striped stingaree (Trygonoptera ovalis) — Urolophidae — 2
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Striped stingaree (Trygonoptera ovalis) — Urolophidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Striped stingaree (Trygonoptera ovalis) — Urolophidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Striped stingaree (Trygonoptera ovalis) — Urolophidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Striped stingaree sourced
Scientific name
Trygonoptera ovalis
Family
Urolophidae
Other names
Common stingaree; Striped stingaree; Bight stingaree verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
4.0 verified
Max depth (m)
43.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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
Special features
Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care. inferred

For anglers

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
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
Do not step on the tail or grab the fish by the tail. For a sting: immediately immerse the wound in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C, not scalding) for 30-90 minutes to break down the protein venom; have any retained spine fragments removed. Pain is severe: always seek medical help and check tetanus status. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Trygonoptera

More from the family Urolophidae

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