| Torpedinidae (Electric rays) |
| 100 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 3,000.0 g |
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reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 2 - 370 m |
| Eastern Atlantic: northern UK (less common in southern North Sea and Kattegat) to Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Also in the Mediterranean Sea. |
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Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 104-108. Disc-width around the same as its length, length and width 1,50 to 1,70 times in total length; dorsal fins more or less rounded, its base 1,50 times in its height (Ref. 39215). |
| Occurs in seagrass areas, rocky reefs, and adjacent soft bottoms (Ref. 12951). Avoids temperatures above 20°C (Ref. 10011). Nocturnal, usually burying itself during the day with only the eyes and spiracle jutting out (Ref. 12382). Feeds on small benthic fishes Trachurus, Mugil, Mullus, Dicentrarchus, Spondyliosoma, Boops, Labrus, Dascyllus, Pomacentrus) and crustaceans (Ref. 10011). Females outlive males; viviparous, neonates measuring 10-14 cm at birth (Ref. 10426). Produces 2-32 pups in a litter after a 10-month gestation (Ref. 12951, Ref. 114953). Males reaches maturity at ca. 30 cm TL, females at ca. 40 cm TL; born at 10-14 cm TL (Ref. 114953). Electrocytes start developing when the embryo weighs about 1 g; electric organs functional before birth and newborns can use their electric organ discharge (EOD) in capturing prey (Ref. 10428). Can produce electric discharges of up to 200 volts; EOD frequency up to 600 Hz. Jumps on fast-moving prey, paralyzing it with its EOD (Ref. 27000). |
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Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 31 August 2020 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
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| other |
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