Blackspotted torpedo

Black Polka Dot torpedo ray ( Torpedo fuscomaculata )

The Black Polka Dot torpedo ray ( Torpedo fuscomaculata ) is a ray species from the family of electric ray. It occurs to Cape Agulhas in the south-west Indian Ocean from the coast of Mozambique. Sightings in Sri Lanka and some smaller islands in the Indian Ocean are uncertain and require confirmation.

Features

The largest known specimen of this skate had a length of 64 cm. Their color is brown to light gray, with numerous, large, dark brown to black spots or lines on the back. The underside is white. The caudal fin is small. To the spray holes are numerous small papillae.

Way of life

Black Polka Dot Torpedo Rays live as a loner over sand and mud bottoms, but also go into rocky and coral reefs, where they hide in caves during the day. They occur at depths of three to 500 meters. Black Polka Dot Torpedo Rays hunt ground-dwelling fish and squid which they locate their prey with mild electric shocks and then stun them with powerful electric shocks. They are ovoviviparous. After hatching, the young remain in the uterus, where they are fed a " uterine milk " said fluid. In the summer they are finally born into the world.