Rays and Sawfish

Discover some of our species...

Freshwater Sawfish

Smalltooth sawfish live in shallow waters around river mouths and freshwater systems, moving between freshwater and saltwater. They are related to sharks and stingrays, and can grow to over 6 metres in length! These distinctive animals have a long saw-like extension called a rostrum. Sawfish use their rostrum to find prey as their eyesight is poor. The sharply-toothed saw is swung at prey, stunning or killing small fish and prawns which it then devours.

Shark Ray

Also known as the Bowmouth shark and Mud skate, this species is known for its distinctive thorns on the bony ridges of its head and a white snout. The upper surface of its body is blue grey in colour with white spots. Shark rays can grow up to 3 metres in length and reside within coral reefs, though they sometimes have a preference for sandy or muddy habitats. Their diet consists of crustaceans and molluscs.

Giant Shovelnose Ray

The Giant Shovelnose ray is easily identified by its triangular shaped snout which bears a resemblance to a shovel. Adults can grow up to 2.7 metres in length and its spine is lined with enlarged denticles and thorns. Juveniles are usually found inshore while the adults can found trawling the deep shelf waters of the Indo-Pacific.

White Spotted Eagle Ray

The Spotted Eagle ray can be found worldwide in mostly tropical but occasionally subtropical waters. Eagle rays flap their fins as they manoeuvre across the ocean, and appear to ‘fly’ across the water, thus their name. Other ray species, such as smooth stingrays, move their whole bodies in a wave motion. The White-Spotted Eagle ray can grow up to 8.8 metres in length including the tail and up to 3.5 metres wide. They are easily recognised by the distinct white spots on the top side of the body.