Rays

When you hear the word “ray” most people will automatically think of stingrays, but the ray family extends beyond the well-known stingrays. This includes guitarfishes, Fiddler Ray and Shovelnose Ray, Numbfish, Electric Rays, Skates, Singrays, Eagle Rays and Stingarees.

The Eastern Fiddler Ray (Trygonorrhina fasciata) can be found throughout Sydney Harbour. Also known as a Banjo Shark, these animals tend to be found in sandy shallow water, and grow up to 1.2m long. They are carnivorous foraging for crustaceans and molluscs on the sea floor.

WARNING: Some rays have a venomous barb, so be careful not to touch or step on them.

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Information sources:

• Davey, K. 2009. A photographic guide to Seashore Life of Australia. New Holland Publishers, Sydney.
• Norman, M and Reid, A. 2000. Guide to squid, cuttlefish and octopus of Australasia. The Gould League of Australia, Sydney.