Starry ray (Amblyraja radiata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Amblyraja radiata
- Common name
- Starry ray
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Rajidae
- Genus
- Amblyraja
- Size
- 50–100 cm
- Depth
- 18–1500 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Caution
- Habitats
- sand, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic
Description
Amblyraja radiata reaches 1 m. Ray (Rajidae) boreal-arctic Northeast Atlantic, North Sea, Northwest Atlantic. Flat gray-brown body with spines distinctly arranged in central radial lines on back (hence radiata). Lives from 18 to 1500 m on sand, rocky bottoms and glacial zones of North Atlantic and Arctic. Listed VU by IUCN. Commercial fishery and bycatch. Accessible wide-angle photo subject in temperate boreal diving (Norway, UK). Distinctive by clearly visible spines.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Starry ray?
- Starry ray (Amblyraja radiata) reaches 50–100 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Starry ray?
- Starry ray is found between 18–1500 m deep.
- Is the Starry ray dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Caution.
- What is the conservation status of the Starry ray?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Starry ray?
- Found in: East Atlantic.
Other species in the family Rajidae
- Leucoraja naevus - Cuckoo ray
- Dipturus batis - Common skate
- Dipturus oxyrinchus - Longnose skate
- Raja brachyura - Blonde ray
- Raja microocellata - Small-eyed ray
- Raja clavata - Thornback ray
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105865)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2420446)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia