Torpedo fuscomaculata (Blackspotted torpedo)

Peters 1855

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Batoidei > Rajiformes > Torpedinoidei > Torpedinidae

	Torpedo cf. fuscomaculata (South coast blackspotted torpedo) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A large electric ray with a small caudal fin, small papillae around the spiracles, and a dull grey upper surface with variable markings, often formed as dark lines or large spots; two colour variants are illustrated. Underside white.

Size

To 64 cm TL.

Range

East coast, Cape Agulhas to southern Mozambique; also reported from Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Zanzibar but identity of specimens there uncertain.

Habitat

Estuaries and the shallow subtidal to upper slope at 439 m.

Biology

Moderately common. Young born in summer. Eats hake, sandrat, anchovy, sea bream, beaked sandfish, maasbanker, gurnards, and cuttlefish; large prey is probably stunned by the powerful electric discharge of this ray.

Human Impact

Caught by inshore anglers and trawlers.

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