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Brazilian electric ray (Narcine brasiliensis) fish species and information / pictures of Brazilian electric ray - Narcine brasiliensis

Brazilian electric ray (Narcine brasiliensis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Narcine brasiliensis

Common Name
Brazilian electric ray

Biology
Inhabits coastal waters, on sand or mud bottoms (Ref. 26340). Common along sandy shorelines, sometimes near coral reefs (Ref. 12951). Buries itself with only eyes protruding (Ref. 12951). Nocturnal, moves to shallow bays at night to feed; prefers worms, but may take juvenile snake eels, anemones, and, small crustaceans (Ref. 12951). Produces broods of 4 to 15 young (Ref. 26938). Can discharge between 14 and 37 volts. Contact with the skin can produce a severe electric shock. In addition to the main electric organ, this species possesses a bilateral accessory electric organ (Ref. 10011) speculated to have a possible role in social communication (Ref. 10489). Reported to taste good, but not fished commercially. Traded as an aquarium fish at Cear?, Brazil (Ref. 49392).

Classification

Classified By
Olfers, 1831
Class
Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)
Order
Electric rays (Torpediniformes)
Family
Numbfishes (Narcinidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Espirito Santo, Brazil to northern Argentina (Carvalho, pers. comm.). North Carolina, USA to Florida, northern Gulf of Mexico, central Lesser Antilles and Yucatan (Ref. 26938).
Range
37°N - 39°S

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
43 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 43 m (Ref. 13608)
Trophic Level
3.16 s.e. 0.47 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
54.0 cm
Common Length
35.0 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: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (31 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming fecundity
Threat To Humans
Other (Ref. 10011)
IUCN Red List Status
  Data deficient (DD)