Common name(s)

Brazilian Electric Ray, Lesser Numbfish.

Binomial

Narcine brasiliensis.

Synonyms

Narcine brachypleura, Torpedo brasiliensis, Torpedo ocellata.

Identification

A large electric ray with a teardrop-shaped body and a broadly rounded snout. Disc width equal to or slightly wider than long. Anterior disc margins and pectoral fin apices broadly rounded. Eyes large and protruding, equal in size to spiracles. Spiracles sub-circular with raised margins containing small papillae. Nasal curtain short and wide, posterior margin straight.
Pelvic fins broad, fan-like, with rounded margins. Tail broad based, with a pronounced lateral keel. Inter-dorsal fin space appoximately equal to dorsal base length. Dorsal fins large and high. First dorsal with a broadly rounded apex. Second dorsal angled backwards, with an more tightly rounded apex. First dorsal origin over pelvic fin insertion. Caudal fin sub-triangular with a convex posterior margin. Claspers in larger males extend well beyond posterior margin of pelvic fins.

Colour

Dorsum light to mid brown or greyish brown, usually with large darker brown blotches arranged symmetrically forming broken bars across disc. Snout entirely very dark or with a dark cross bar anterior to eyes. Dorsal markings sometimes indistinct. Lateral keel and posterior margins of fins pale. Ventrum creamy white, often with dusky posterior margins on pectoral and pelvic fins.

Size

Maximum length ~45cm. Size at birth ~11cm.