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Sepia stingray (Urolophus aurantiacus) — Urolophidae

Sepia stingray

Urolophus aurantiacus
Family: Urolophidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Sepia stingray (Urolophus aurantiacus) is a saltwater fish of the family Urolophidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sepia stingray is a small stingaree from the northwest Pacific, off Japan, the Ryukyu Islands and the East China Sea. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a round, flat body disc and a short tail bearing a venomous spine for defence. As a bottom-dweller it often lies half-buried in sand or mud and feeds on small bottom crustaceans and worms. Owing to its vulnerable population the IUCN assesses it as Vulnerable (VU). The spine can inflict a painful, venomous wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sepia stingray?

The Sepia stingray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Sepia stingray live?

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

How big does the Sepia stingray get?

The Sepia stingray grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Sepia stingray dangerous to humans?

The Sepia stingray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Sepia stingray edible?

The Sepia stingray is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sepiadoornrog sourced
English name
Sepia stingray verified
Scientific name
Urolophus aurantiacus
Family
Urolophidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded sourced
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Urolophus

More from the family Urolophidae

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