EAGLE RAY VS DUCKBILL RAY IDENTIFICATION

[REEFMAN]

EAGLE RAY VS DUCKBILL/BULL RAY

There is a lot of mis-identification when it comes to these 2 species...  The species is even mis-identified in the ORI Tables...!!!! So lets just clear this up once and for all.

1: DUCKBILL RAY = BULL RAY - Same species, Pteromylaeus bovinus
2. EAGLE RAY - Myliobatus aquila
 
 
BULL RAY / DUCKBILL RAY



 
 

EAGLE RAY



Smith's encyclopedia states:

species number 28.2 Myliobatis aquila = EAGLE RAY

Species number 28.3 Pteromylaeus bovinus = BULL RAY
"BOVINE" = BULL!

This species is INCORRECTLY named in the ORI Length to weight tables!

Further to this... Phil and Elaine Heemstra's - COASTAL FISHES book states the following:

BULLRAY - Pteromylaeus bovinus - SNOUT RESEMBLES A DUCK'S BILL


Then finally, RUDI VAN DER ELST's book (3rd EDITION) says:

Pteromylaeus bovinus -
Common names: SA: BullRay, Duckbill Ray.
Worldwide: Bullray

Bullray - a reference to the Bull-like head, especially in juveniles.
"In SA this has been known traditionally as the Duckbill Ray because of its duck-like snout. In order to standardize internationally, it should now be called the BULLRAY."


Below is a pic of the easily identifiable:

SPOTTED EAGLE RAY


 
 
 
IDENTIFICATION
MAIN DIFFERENCES

• EAGLE RAY's snout is continuous with the leading edge of the Pectoral fin (Disc).
• Pelvic fins in the EAGLE RAY are large... 1/3 the length of the Body.
• Pelvic fins in the Bull Ray are smaller 1/4-1/5 the length of the body.
• Juvenile BULL rays have dark brown horizontal stripes, while in the adults, these become pale blue.
• Eagle Ray may have spots or blotches, but never stripes.
• Tip of the Disc (Pectoral fins) are rounded in the EAGLE RAY and Pointed in the BULL RAY.

[John F]

Some recent pics of an eagle ray, from Xai-Xai...