Gymnura japonica (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
Japanese butterflyray
photo by The Fish Database of Taiwan

Family:  Gymnuridae (Butterfly rays)
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: southern Japan to the China seas. Possibly in Thailand (Ref. 9918). Reported from India (Ref. 45255).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits sandy or muddy bottom in shallow waters (Ref. 11230). Feeds on benthic animals. Spines covered with skin with poisonous glands. Ovoviviparous. Used as 'kamaboko' material (Ref. 637). Caught often by demersal trawl, trammel and gillnet fisheries, and occasionally using tangle nets.Utilized for its meat, but of limited value due to its typically small size (Ref.58048).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 29 August 2019 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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