Narke capensis (Gmelin, 1789)
Onefin electric ray
Narke capensis
photo by Zsilavecz, G.

Family:  Narkidae (Sleeper rays)
Max. size:  38 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 20 - 183 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic: Cape of Good Hope to central Natal, South Africa. Possibly occurring in Namibia, Mozambique and Madagascar (Ref. 5578, Ref. 114953).
Diagnosis:  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).
Biology:  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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 April 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  other


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