Mobula kuhlii (Müller & Henle, 1841)
Shortfin devil ray
Mobula kuhlii
photo by FAO

Family:  Mobulidae (Devilrays)
Max. size:  119 cm WD (male/unsexed); 120 cm WD (female); max.weight: 30 kg
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: eastern coast of Africa to Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  A small devilray with a short head bearing short head fins; dorsal fin white-tipped, and pectoral fins with slightly curved tips; upper surface with no denticles and tail shorter than disc, with no spine (Ref. 5578). Dark brown above, white below (Ref. 5578).
Biology:  Found in coastal and oceanic waters (Ref. 5578). Feeds on plankton (Ref. 30573). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Generally found in schools, leaping out of the water (Ref. 11228). Caught rarely in the tuna gillnet fisheries. Utilized for its gill filter plates (high value), meat, cartilage and skin (Ref.58048).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 20 January 2020 (A2bd+3d) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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