Marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmorata) fish species and Marbled electric ray information

Scientific Name
Torpedo marmorata

Common Name
Marbled electric ray

Biology
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). 5-32 in a litter (Ref. 12951). 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. May attain 100 cm in length (Ref.

Classification

Classified By

Risso, 1810

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Electric rays (Torpediniformes)

Family

Electric rays (Torpedinidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: northern UK (less common in southern North Sea and Kattegat) to Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Also in the Mediterranean Sea.

Range

60°N - 35°S, 18°W - 36°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

20 °C

Depth From - meters

2 m

Depth To - meters

370 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 370 m (Ref. 4430)

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.80 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (69 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec=5-32)

Threat To Humans

Other (Ref. 4690)

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)

Marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmorata) fish species and information / pictures of Marbled electric ray - Torpedo marmorata

Marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmorata) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population