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Blotched stingray (Urotrygon chilensis) — Urotrygonidae

Blotched stingray

Urotrygon chilensis
Family: Urotrygonidae

The Blotched stingray (Urotrygon chilensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Urotrygonidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
41.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–60.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The blotched stingray is a round stingray (Urotrygonidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 42 cm and has an oval, flattened body disc with a brown, blotched pattern and a row of thornlets over the back and the relatively long tail, which carries a serrated venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it lies half-buried on sandy bottoms and crushes molluscs and crustaceans. The tail spine can inflict a painful, venomous wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blotched stingray?

The Blotched stingray has an irregular in shape body.

Where does the Blotched stingray live?

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

How big does the Blotched stingray get?

The Blotched stingray grows to a maximum of about 42 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Blotched stingray dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stekelige doornrog sourced
English name
Blotched stingray sourced
Scientific name
Urotrygon chilensis
Family
Urotrygonidae
Other names
Chilean round ray; Stingray; Thorny round stingray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.9 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 Urotrygon

More from the family Urotrygonidae

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