Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Torpediniformes (Electric rays) >
Narkidae (Sleeper rays)
Etymology: Narke: Greek, narke = numbness (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Gmelin.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 20 - 183 m (Ref. 6589). Subtropical; 23°S - 36°S, 13°E - 32°E (Ref. 114953)
Southeast Atlantic: Cape of Good Hope to central Natal, South Africa. Possibly occurring in Namibia, Mozambique and Madagascar (Ref. 5578, Ref. 114953).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 38.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5578)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Small ray with an almost circular disc and an elongated caudal fin (Ref. 5578). Yellowish-brown above with yellowish patches on upper tail, yellow with brown margins below (Ref. 5578).
Body shape (shape guide): other.
Occurs offshore on the shelf; also common on sandy and muddy bottoms at 20-115 m (Ref. 5578). Feeds mainly on polychaetes (Ref. 5578). Males reaches maturity at 18-23 cm TL, females at ca. 23 cm TL (Ref. 114953). Capable of giving a powerful shock (Ref. 5578). Incidental catch of trawlers (Ref. 5578). It is parasitised by the monogenean Electrocotyle whittingtoni in the gills (Ref. 124060).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Compagno, L.J.V., 1986. Narkidae. p. 113-114. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 6589)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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