Himantura gerrardi (Sharpnose stingray)

(Gray, 1851)

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

Himantura gerrardi (Sharpnose stingray) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A plain light angular stingray with a sharply pointed snout, long slender tail over twice body length when intact, no caudal finfolds, and no large thorns. A band of small flat denticles along midback and usually one medium-sized sting on tail. Colour light brown above, white below, tail with transverse bands of light and dark brown which may fade in adults.

Size

To 2 m TL and 90 cm DW.

Range

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

Habitat

A tropical ray that occurs in the surf zone on beaches, in shallow bays and estuaries, and down to 50 m offshore.

Biology

Common off Natal, feeds on bottom crustaceans, including shrimp, crabs, and small lobsters. Two young per litter, born in summer.

Human Impact

Sought by anglers, but usually released unharmed; also caught by bottom trawlers.

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