Distribution:

Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

Biology:

Found over sandy and muddy bottoms, sometimes in estuaries and near rocky reefs. Feeds on bottom-living invertebrates and fishes. Ovoviviparous, gestation period about 4 months and 4-7 young are produced. Wings marketed smoked, dried-salted, and also used for fishmeal and oil. Harmful to shellfish banks; dangerous to bathers and fishers due to its poisonous spine. Feeds on bottom fishes, crustaceans and molluscs. Barbed poison spine is a modified denticle that can be 35cm long, shed occasionally and replaced.

Max. size: 57.0 cm, 60.0 cm (female)

Environment: demersal; depth range 5 - 200 m

Climate: subtropical; 61°NC

Canary Islands country information: Name: Chuchu Comun