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Marbled Electric Ray

Careful – a close encounter with this ray could be electrifying! Marbled electric rays have special organs that allow them to use up to 200 volts of electrical currents to kill prey and stun predators.

 

This stunning ray is appropriately named for its charged organs and marbled appearance, sporting a distinctly round, flat body covered with brown marbling. It can reach up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length and sports a short tail decorated with two rounded dorsal fins, and a large caudal fin.  This ray is a solitary species that lives in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean (northern Europe to South Africa) and the Mediterranean Sea.

The marbled electric ray prefers to lay low in seagrass, rocky reefs, and along the seafloor, burying itself beneath the sediment during the day, leaving only its eyes and spiracles visible to watch the world go by. It is known to hunt a variety of small fish and invertebrates, and does not have many natural predators due to its size and unique ability to defend itself. This is one of the lesser understood species of rays, as its shocking reputation causes fishers to quickly release it and ocean goers to avoid it.

 

 

The primary threat to the marbled electric ray is incidental capture in various types of fishing gear. This species is not typically targeted due to low commercial value, but regular bycatch combined with high fishing pressure increases vulnerability leading to its assessment as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

 

 

Putting an end to overfishing and destructive fishing practices is necessary to protect marbled electric rays. Oceana is working around the world to reduce overfishing and increase transparency at sea.  

 

 

 

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