Pelagic Stingray
Pteroplatytrygon violacea
The pelagic stingray is a species of whiptail ray in the family Dasyatidae. They live in all waters 66 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, and occasionally live in colder waters. They are found in most waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, as well as the Red Sea. They grow to a maximum disc size of 1 meter (39 inches), and have a long tail that doubles their total body length. When they mate, they often migrate to warmer waters and give birth to three to nine pups. They are frequently preyed upon by large sharks, so they have a venomous barb that can do severe damage to a potential predator. They cruise the oceans feeding on squid, cuttlefish, octopuses, small fish, and crustaceans. While they are officially rated as “Little Concern,” they are a frequent bycatch of commercial fisheries. Several environmental groups are working to outlaw these harmful practices in an effort to sustain our resources.
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Pelagic Stingray
Pteroplatytrygon violacea
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Uncertain
At the Aquarium
They may be viewed at the Ray Pool.
Geographic Distribution
Pelagic stingrays are nearly circumglobal in tropical, subtropical, and sometimes temperate seas. They are found throughout most of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea. They also live in the Eastern Pacific from southern Chile to British Columbia.
Habitat
Pelagic stingrays are found in the open ocean (also known as the pelagic ocean) in most tropical and temperate seas. They are usually found in the top 100 meters (330 feet) instead of deep water. While they are normally found in pelagic waters, they are occasionally seen in nearshore coastal waters. Most other ray species live in nearshore habitats rather than the pelagic zone (neither close to the bottom nor close to shore). The pelagic stingray is currently rated as “Least Concern,” by conservationists; nevertheless, its habitat often leads to it getting caught in gillnets, on longlines, or in trawling nets.
Physical Characteristics
Pelagic stingrays are fairly small rays that reach a maximum disc size of 1 meter (39 inches) and 46 kilograms (102 pounds). They are a dark gray-blue or smoky black dorsally (on top), and ventrally (underneath). Their deep color has also been described as violet, purple, or dark blue-green. Having the same coloring on the dorsal and ventral side of the body is unusual for a ray. Rays usually have countershading where they have darker pigmentation on top and a lighter or white color underneath. The pelagic rays have a long, whip-like tail with one to two venomous barbs. They have a slightly triangular, pancake-like body that glides through the water with ease.
Size
These rays weigh up to 46 kilograms (102 pounds)and grow to a maximum disc width of 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) and 160 centimeters (63 inches) in total length including the tail.
Diet
Adult pelagic stingrays will eat small fish such as anchovies, sardines, and herring as well as squid, cuttlefish, sea jellies, and, when available, small crustaceans. These rays have been known to take advantage of seasonal food options such as mass migrations of small pelagic fish.
Reproduction
Pelagic stingrays usually mature at around three years of age, although males will often mature sooner: they may mature as early as two years. Pelagic stingrays reach about 45 centimeters (18 inches) at maturity. During the mating season, they often migrate to warmer waters and after a four month gestation period will give birth to anywhere from three to nine pups. The pups’ diameters range from 15—25 centimeters (6—10 inches), and they will eat almost anything. Pelagic stingrays are ovoviviparous, which means they develop from a yolk, but have live birth.
Behavior
Pelagic stingrays are highly migratory and will follow migrations of oceanic prey items. They will enter warmer waters to breed. Pelagic stingrays mature at about three years of age. These rays have been known to push food up to the surface of the water column and feed “on their backs” using the water’s surface to help trap prey.
Adaptation
Pelagic stingrays have a long tail with a venomous barb. Many sharks feed on them, so the barbs generally discourage this. They have been known to grow a second barb in anticipation of losing their first one!
Longevity
Pelagic stingrays have been known to live as long as twelve years, but usually don’t live longer than ten years.
Conservation
The pelagic stingray’s conservation status is currently rated as “Little Concern,” given its widely distributed populations. However, these rays are common bycatch (accidental catch while fishing for other species) in commercial fishing. Pelagic rays are especially common as bycatch in the pelagic tuna and shark longline and gillnet fisheries. When caught as bycatch, they are mostly discarded except in some parts of Indonesia that use their cartilage, meat, and tail. International efforts to modify fishing practices and reduce bycatch can help pelagic rays.
Special Notes
Pelagic rays are not limited to coastal habitats but are often found in open waters (the pelagic zone), which is unusual for a ray. They were considered a rare species until they began occurring in greater abundance as bycatch in tuna longline fisheries in recent years, likely due to a decrease in tuna and shark catch rates in these regions.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Pelagic Stingray
Pteroplatytrygon violacea
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Uncertain
They may be viewed at the Ray Pool.
Pelagic stingrays are nearly circumglobal in tropical, subtropical, and sometimes temperate seas. They are found throughout most of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea. They also live in the Eastern Pacific from southern Chile to British Columbia.
Pelagic stingrays are found in the open ocean (also known as the pelagic ocean) in most tropical and temperate seas. They are usually found in the top 100 meters (330 feet) instead of deep water. While they are normally found in pelagic waters, they are occasionally seen in nearshore coastal waters. Most other ray species live in nearshore habitats rather than the pelagic zone (neither close to the bottom nor close to shore). The pelagic stingray is currently rated as “Least Concern,” by conservationists; nevertheless, its habitat often leads to it getting caught in gillnets, on longlines, or in trawling nets.
Pelagic stingrays are fairly small rays that reach a maximum disc size of 1 meter (39 inches) and 46 kilograms (102 pounds). They are a dark gray-blue or smoky black dorsally (on top), and ventrally (underneath). Their deep color has also been described as violet, purple, or dark blue-green. Having the same coloring on the dorsal and ventral side of the body is unusual for a ray. Rays usually have countershading where they have darker pigmentation on top and a lighter or white color underneath. The pelagic rays have a long, whip-like tail with one to two venomous barbs. They have a slightly triangular, pancake-like body that glides through the water with ease.
These rays weigh up to 46 kilograms (102 pounds)and grow to a maximum disc width of 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) and 160 centimeters (63 inches) in total length including the tail.
Adult pelagic stingrays will eat small fish such as anchovies, sardines, and herring as well as squid, cuttlefish, sea jellies, and, when available, small crustaceans. These rays have been known to take advantage of seasonal food options such as mass migrations of small pelagic fish.
Pelagic stingrays usually mature at around three years of age, although males will often mature sooner: they may mature as early as two years. Pelagic stingrays reach about 45 centimeters (18 inches) at maturity. During the mating season, they often migrate to warmer waters and after a four month gestation period will give birth to anywhere from three to nine pups. The pups’ diameters range from 15—25 centimeters (6—10 inches), and they will eat almost anything. Pelagic stingrays are ovoviviparous, which means they develop from a yolk, but have live birth.
Pelagic stingrays are highly migratory and will follow migrations of oceanic prey items. They will enter warmer waters to breed. Pelagic stingrays mature at about three years of age. These rays have been known to push food up to the surface of the water column and feed “on their backs” using the water’s surface to help trap prey.
Pelagic stingrays have a long tail with a venomous barb. Many sharks feed on them, so the barbs generally discourage this. They have been known to grow a second barb in anticipation of losing their first one!
Pelagic stingrays have been known to live as long as twelve years, but usually don’t live longer than ten years.
The pelagic stingray’s conservation status is currently rated as “Little Concern,” given its widely distributed populations. However, these rays are common bycatch (accidental catch while fishing for other species) in commercial fishing. Pelagic rays are especially common as bycatch in the pelagic tuna and shark longline and gillnet fisheries. When caught as bycatch, they are mostly discarded except in some parts of Indonesia that use their cartilage, meat, and tail. International efforts to modify fishing practices and reduce bycatch can help pelagic rays.
Pelagic rays are not limited to coastal habitats but are often found in open waters (the pelagic zone), which is unusual for a ray. They were considered a rare species until they began occurring in greater abundance as bycatch in tuna longline fisheries in recent years, likely due to a decrease in tuna and shark catch rates in these regions.