Torpedo nobiliana (Bonaparte, 1835)

Electric Ray

Torpedo nobiliana

Description: Electric rays have rounded disc-like bodies and smooth skin and two dorsal fins located on a short, thick tail. The upper surface of the ray is dark greyish-blue to dark brown and the underside is white. Adult fish can be up to 2m long.

Habitat: The electric ray is usually found on sand or mud at depths between 10-350m. It catches and envelops bottom-living fish in its pectoral fins and delievers a powerful electic shock from the electric organs located in the pectoral fins, stunning or killing the fish before it eats it.

Distribution: Although this species has been recorded from all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland it is rarely encountered by divers.

Similar Species: The marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmorata) is similar in shape but can easily be distinguished by its marbled coloration and papillae-like processes around the inner edge of the spiracles.

Key Identification Features:

• Ray with circular, disc-like body
• Short, thick tail with broad tail fin
• Dark grey colour on upper surface, white underneath

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database