Gymnuridae

Backwater butterfly ray

Gymnura natalensis

Markings and color shift to blend into soft bottoms

• Tropical
• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Atlantic Ocean
• Indian Ocean
• Africa
• Other
• Large
• Tropical fish

The backwater butterfly ray, butterfly ray, diamond ray, or short-tailed ray (Gymnura natalensis) is a species of chondrichthyan fish in the family Gymnuridae (butterfly rays). It is found off the coasts of Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and may also be found off the coasts of Kenya and Tanzania as well. This species' natural habitats are open seas, shallow seas, estuarine waters, and coastal saline lagoons.