Saltwater
Brazilian electric ray
Narcine brasiliensis
Narcinidae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 54 cm
- Body shape
- Other
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 3,317 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
- Temperament
- Missing
- Swims
- Missing
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Water values
Smallest tank
Range
Native
Lives wild in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, United States, and 2 more countries.
More about the species
Description
Inhabits coastal waters, on sand or mud bottoms. Common along sandy shorelines, sometimes near coral reefs. Aggregates in shallow waters ca. 10-20 m deep during summer and autumn months, dispersing to deeper waters during winter. Buries itself with only eyes protruding. Nocturnal, moves to shallow bays at night to feed; prefers worms, but may take juvenile snake eels, anemones, and, small crustaceans. Produces broods of 4 to 15 young. Reaches ca. 45 cm TL. Both sexes mature by 27 cm TL; birth size at ca. 11 cm TL. 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 speculated to have a possible role in social communication. Reported to taste good, but not fished commercially. Traded as an aquarium fish at Ceará, Brazil.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Narcine brachypleura
- Torpedo brasiliensis
- Torpedo ocellata
In other languages
- Liten darrocka
- Brasiliansk elrokke
- Pikkusähkörausku
- Bvrazilian electric ray, Electric ray, Lesser electric ray, Lesser numbfish, Small electric ray, Spotted torpedo ray, Torpedofish, Trembler
Articles
All articles
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.
From freshwater to saltwater3 min read
What is different in a saltwater aquarium: salt, refractometer, live rock and corals. An introduction for anyone thinking of giving it a try.