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.

Class: Sharks and Rays
Order: Stingrays
Family: Gymnuridae
Genus: Gymnura
Maximum length: 250 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: other
Distribution: Southeast Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean: Namibia round the Cape to southern Mozambique.
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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