Stingrays are marine animals known for their distinctive flattened bodies and broad, wing-like fins, which allow them to glide gracefully through ocean waters. Their unique appearance often captures the attention of those observing marine life. While stingrays possess a specific body plan, their general shape can lead to confusion with other aquatic species that share similar visual characteristics.
Distinctive Features of Stingrays
Stingrays are cartilaginous fish, meaning their skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone, similar to sharks. Their bodies are flattened and disc-shaped, aiding their bottom-dwelling existence. Their large, expanded pectoral fins fuse with the head and trunk, forming a flattened disc and giving them a “winged” appearance.
Eyes are positioned on the dorsal (top) side of their heads, providing an upward field of vision while resting on the seabed. Conversely, mouths, nostrils, and gill slits are located on their ventral (underside) surface. Many species possess a long, whip-like tail that carries one or more serrated, venomous barbs, used for defense against predators.
Fish Commonly Mistaken for Stingrays
Several marine creatures share a superficial resemblance to stingrays, leading to frequent misidentification. Among the most common are skates, which are also cartilaginous fish and closely related to stingrays. Skates possess similarly flattened bodies and broad pectoral fins that give them a disc-like shape. Both skates and stingrays are benthic, meaning they live on or near the seabed, further contributing to their similar appearance and habitat.
Another group of fish mistaken for stingrays are angel sharks. These unique sharks have evolved flattened bodies and enlarged pectoral fins, allowing them to effectively camouflage themselves on the seafloor as ambush predators. Their broad, wing-like fins and bottom-dwelling habits can lead to confusion with true rays. However, angel sharks retain shark-like features, such as gill slits on their sides, which distinguish them from rays.
Certain types of flatfish, such as flounder or sole, might also be confused with stingrays due to their flattened body shapes and habit of living on the seafloor. While flatfish are bony fish and less closely related, their adaptation to a benthic lifestyle results in a compressed body form. This shared characteristic, particularly when viewed partially obscured or from a distance, can lead to momentary misidentification.
How to Tell Them Apart
Distinguishing between stingrays and skates often involves examining their tails and body shape. Skates typically have fleshier tails that lack the venomous barb found on most stingrays. Instead, many skates have small, non-venomous thorns or prominent dorsal fins located on their tails. Skates also tend to have a more pointed, often triangular, snout and a more rounded body shape compared to the often diamond-shaped or disc-like stingrays.
Differentiating angel sharks from stingrays can be done by observing their gill slits and tail structure. Angel sharks possess five gill slits positioned on the sides of their heads, characteristic of sharks, whereas stingrays have their gill slits on their ventral surface. Additionally, angel sharks have a distinct, well-developed caudal (tail) fin, which is absent in most stingrays. Their bodies also tend to be more robust and less flattened than the thin, disc-like form of a stingray.
Flatfish are generally easier to distinguish from stingrays due to several key anatomical differences. The most obvious distinction is the placement of their eyes; flatfish have both eyes located on one side of their head, a result of their unique larval development and asymmetrical adult form. In contrast, stingrays have eyes positioned on the top of their heads, on opposite sides. Furthermore, flatfish typically have a more elongated, oval body shape rather than the broad, disc-like appearance of stingrays.