Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Torpediniformes (Electric rays) >
Torpedinidae (Electric rays)
Etymology: Torpedo: Latin, torpere = be sluggish (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Donald Jacob Baron Mackay (1839–1921), who was born a Dutch national in the Hague, became 11th Lord Reay on the death of his father (1876) and changed his nationality to British (1877). [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 30 - 50 m (Ref. 4430). Tropical; 15°N - 17°S, 19°W - 14°E (Ref. 114953)
Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Angola.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 114953)
Found in continental shelf in shallow water to at least 15 m deep. Presumably feeds on small invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 114953). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Males mature at ca. 32 cm TL, females at ca. 35 cm TL (Ref. 114953).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures (Ref. 50449).
Capapé, C. and M. Desoutter, 1990. Torpedinidae. p. 55-58. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 1. (Ref. 4430)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Human uses
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 19.8 - 25.9, mean 23.6 °C (based on 13 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5005 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01479 (0.00665 - 0.03288), b=2.96 (2.77 - 3.15), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.2 ±0.7 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming fecundity<100).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (30 of 100).