Pink Whipray, Himantura fai Jordan & Seale, 1906

Scientific name: Himantura fai
Pink Whipray, <i>Himantura fai</i> Click to enlarge image
Pink Whiprays at Portland Roads, Lockhart, far northern Queensland, 19 February 2013. Image: Seamus Campbell
© Seamus Campbell

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Himantura
    Species
    fai
    Family
    Dasyatidae
    Order
    Myliobatiformes
    Class
    Chondrichthyes
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    To at least 1.84 m in length.

Introduction

The Pink Whipray is a large ray with a long, slender tail. It is brownish-pink above. The species is often seen in aggregations in shallow water.

Identification

The lower surface is pale. The head and trunk are covered with short, widely-spaced denticles.

Pink Whipray, Himantura fai
Pink Whiprays at Portland Roads, Lockhart, far northern Queensland, 19 February 2013. Image: Picasa, Seamus Campbell
© Seamus Campbell

Habitat

It is usually encountered in shallow coastal waters but has been recorded as deep as 200 m.

Distribution

Widespread through the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Danger to humans

The species has a sting on the tail but is not regarded as dangerous.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Edition 2. CSIRO. Pp. 644, Pl. 1-91.