Pelagic stingray

Pteroplatytrygon violacea

Pelagic stingray — Pteroplatytrygon violacea
  • Saltwater
  • Least Concern
Max length
130 cm
Classification
Class
Elasmobranchii
Order
Myliobatiformes
Family
Dasyatidae
Genus
Pteroplatytrygon
Distribution
  • Atlantic, Northeast
  • Indian Ocean, Eastern
  • Mediterranean and Black Sea
  • Pacific, Eastern Central
  • Pacific, Northeast

About the pelagic stingray

The pelagic stingray is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae, and the sole member of its genus. It is characterized by the wedge-like shape of its pectoral fin disc, which is much wider than long, as well as by the pointed teeth in both sexes, whip-like tail with extremely long tail spine, and uniform violet to blue-green coloration. It generally reaches 59 cm (23 in) in width. The pelagic stingray has a worldwide distribution in waters warmer than 19 °C (66 °F), and migrates seasonally to spend the summer closer to the continental shelf and at higher latitudes. The only stingray that almost exclusively inhabits the open ocean, this species is typically found in surface waters down to a depth of 100 m (330 ft). As a consequence of its midwater habits, its swimming style has evolved to feature more of a flapping motion of the pectoral fins, as opposed to the disc margin undulations used by other, bottom-dwelling stingrays.

Description from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Where the pelagic stingray lives

Distribution data from GBIF (DOI: 10.15468/dl.8rzs8d).

Also known as

Where to catch pelagic stingray

Related species