Blonde ray (Raja brachyura)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Raja brachyura
- Common name
- Blonde ray
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Rajidae
- Genus
- Raja
- Size
- 70–120 cm
- Depth
- 10–150 m
- IUCN status
- Near threatened (NT)
- Danger level
- Caution
- Habitats
- sand
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Raja brachyura reaches 1.2 m. Large ray (Rajidae) Northeast temperate Atlantic, western Mediterranean, North Sea. Flat yellow-brown to red-brown body with characteristic small white spots scattered on back. Lives from 10 to 150 m on coastal sand and soft bottoms of Northeast Atlantic. Listed NT by IUCN. Important commercial and sport fishery (blonde ray). Accessible wide-angle photo subject in temperate Atlantic sandy dives.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Blonde ray?
- Blonde ray (Raja brachyura) reaches 70–120 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Blonde ray?
- Blonde ray is found between 10–150 m deep.
- Is the Blonde ray dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Caution.
- What is the conservation status of the Blonde ray?
- IUCN status: Near threatened (NT).
- Where can you find the Blonde ray?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Raja
- Raja microocellata - Small-eyed ray
- Raja clavata - Thornback ray
- Raja montagui - Spotted Ray
- Raja undulata - Undulate Ray
Other species in the family Rajidae
- Leucoraja naevus - Cuckoo ray
- Dipturus batis - Common skate
- Dipturus oxyrinchus - Longnose skate
- Amblyraja radiata - Starry ray
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 367297)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5216059)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia