Distribution:

Eastern Atlantic: Norway, Iceland, the Faeroes to Senegal, including western Mediterranean and western part of the Baltic. Extirpated by trawling from much of its former range.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Snout very long and pointed; length before eyes 2,5-4,0 times distance between them; disc broadly rhombic with acute outer corners; upper surface and underside smooth in young, partly prickly in larger specimens; no thorns on disc, a row of 12-18 thorns along tail; 40-56 tooth rows; upper surface olive-grey or brown with a variable pattern of light spots, underside ashy-grey to blue-grey.

Biology:

Eurybathic and eurythermic benthic species in shelf and slope waters. Found in coastal waters mainly within the 200 m range. Feeds on all kinds of bottom animals, large individuals prefer fish. Mate in spring and the egg capsules are laid during the summer. Flesh is marketed fresh or smoked.

Max. size: 285.0 cm

Max.weight: 66 Kg

Environment: demersal; depth range 100 - 1000 m

Climate: subtropical; 66°N - 15°N

Canary Islands country information: Name: Raya