Himantura cf. uarnak (Honeycomb stingray)

(Forsskål, 1775)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Batoidei >  Myliobatoidei > Dasyatidae

Himantura cf. uarnak (Honeycomb stingray) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A huge angular stingray with conspicuous dark spots on a light brown disk, these well-spaced in young but crowded to form a reticulated pattern in adults, and bands of black and white on its tail. Snout sharply pointed, outer corners of disk narrowly rounded, long slender tail nearly three times body length when intact, no caudal finfolds, disk without thorns but with a band of flat denticles along midback in adults and usually one medium-sized sting on tail. Underside white.

Size

Up to 6 m TL (mostly tail) and at least 2 m DW.

Range

East coast, East London to Natal and Mozambique; Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

Habitat

Inshore in the tropics, frequents estuaries and may enter fresh water but also occurs in the surf zone, in shallow bays, and offshore down to 50 m.

Biology

Common off Natal, feeds on bottom invertebrates, including bivalves, shrimp, crabs, and polychaete worms. Bears 3 to 5 young in summer.

Human Impact

A popular angling fish, prized for its powerful fight, but usually released unharmed. Also caught by bottom trawlers and in beach seines.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale