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Dieren en planten

Fish   Rays   Skate   Starry ray   Spotted ray   Fish biology   Reproduction of fish   Marine fauna   Sea fish   

Spotted ray

size:

maximum: 80 centimeters

weight:

maximum 5 kilograms

color:

sandy brown with black spots

age:

maximum 18 years

food:

fish, crustaceans and worms

enemies:

overfishing

reproduction:

lays eggs with internal fertilization

maturity:

8-11 years
number: 24-60 eggs

  • Dut: Gevlekte rog, gladde rog
  • Lat: Raja Montagui
  • Eng: Spotted ray
  • Ger: Gefleckter Roche
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Spotted ray

The spotted ray is named after the black spots on its back. With the exception of the small spines found on its 'face' and and the 50 spines in the middle of its back running to its tail, it is a very smooth ray. The facial spines on adult animals extend behind the eyes while on they are only found on the front part of the snout on young rays. Young spotted rays eat shrimp while older specimen eat larger crustaceans, worms and fish.

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  • Egg capsule

    Female spotted rays lay 24-60 egg capsules per nest. Sometimes an egg capsule washes ashore.

  • Distribution and habitat

    Spotted rays are found along the Northeastern Atlantic coast and in the North Sea. They are a very rare species for the Dutch coast although have been reported or caught in recent years more and more often. They are less rare along the British coast. Spotted rays prefer water depths between 20 and 120 meters and sandy or muddy bottoms. Young animals tend to live closer to the coast while older specimen choose distances further away.

  • Distribution and habitat

    Spotted rays are found along the Northeastern Atlantic coast and in the North Sea. They are a very rare species for the Dutch coast although have been reported or caught in recent years more and more often. They are less rare along the British coast. Spotted rays prefer water depths between 20 and 120 meters and sandy or muddy bottoms. Young animals tend to live closer to the coast while older specimen choose distances further away.

  • Egg capsule

    Female spotted rays lay 24-60 egg capsules per nest. Sometimes an egg capsule washes ashore.