Animal Species:Common Stingaree, Trygonoptera testacea Müller & Henle, 1841
The Common Stingaree occurs from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales where it is commonly observed in shallow coastal estuaries and reefs. At least six species of stingarees are known to live along the New South Wales coast making it often very difficult to identify an individual in the wild.
Common Stingaree, Trygonoptera testacea
Stephen Coulter
© Stephen Coulter
Identification
The Common Stingaree is dark brown to grey above and white below. It has a small dorsal fin, one or two strong, venomous spines on the tail, and a leaf-shaped caudal fin. The shape of the caudal fin is one of the characteristics which separate the stingarees (family Urolophidae) from the other rays including the stingrays (family Dasyatididae) and the skates (family Rajidae).
At least six species of stingarees are known to live along the New South Wales coast. They can be very difficult to identify.
Size range
This species grows to 47cm in length.
Distribution
The Common Stingaree occurs from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Common Stingaree specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The Common Stingaree is most often observed in shallow coastal estuaries and reefs.
Classification
- Species:
- testacea
- Genus:
- Trygonoptera
- Family:
- Urolophidae
- Order:
- Myliobatiformes
- Class:
- Chondrichthyes
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437. Last, P.R. & ; J.D. Stevens. 1994 Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513.
Mark McGrouther
, Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:
Tags fish, ichthyology, Common Stingaree, Trygonoptera testacea, Wildlife of Sydney, Urolophidae,
4 comments
Thanks for your comment Max. I haven't had the 'pleasure' of being jabbed by a stingray spine. I believe that the experience is very painful.
Hi fernando. The easiest way to distinguish stingarees from stingrays is to look at the tail. A stingaree's tail ends in a leaf-like lobe, which is very different from the whip-like pointed tail of a stingray.