Home · Torpedinidae · Electric ray
Electric ray (Tetronarce californica) — Torpedinidae

Electric ray

Tetronarce californica
Family: Torpedinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Electric ray (Tetronarce californica) is a saltwater fish of the family Torpedinidae that grows up to 140 cm.

Length
140 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–906.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Pacific electric ray is an electric ray (Torpedinidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a round, fleshy body disc and bears a pair of electric organs on either side of the head with which it can deliver a powerful jolt. It lives bottom-bound on the outer continental shelf, around rocks, in kelp beds and on sand bottoms. With a stunning shock it overpowers fishes, which it then engulfs. The shock can give a person a painful injury and danger in the water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Electric ray?

The Electric ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Electric ray live?

The Electric ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Electric ray get?

The Electric ray grows to a maximum of about 140 cm. On average the species is around 91 cm.

Is the Electric ray dangerous to humans?

The Electric ray can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Electric ray edible?

The Electric ray is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische sidderrog sourced
English name
Electric ray verified
Scientific name
Tetronarce californica
Family
Torpedinidae
Other names
Electric ray; Pacific electric ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
140.0 verified
Average length (cm)
91.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
906.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
16.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Tetronarce

More from the family Torpedinidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →