eagle ray

Presentation

The eagle ray (Myliobatis aquila) is a cartilaginous fish belonging to the order Myliobatiformes. It is characterized by a flattened diamond-shaped body and long, pointed pectoral fins resembling wings. This benthic predator lives in temperate and tropical coastal waters, particularly in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic. It swims with graceful undulations of its fins, which often earns it the nickname “sea bird”. Its thin tail carries one or more venomous stings used in defense. In Tunisia, it is occasionally observed along the coasts.

The diamond-shaped body is brown to grayish above and white ventrally, providing effective camouflage. The snout is prominent and pointed, giving the head a distinctive beak-like profile. The tail is long, thin and whipped, with one or more venomous spines at its base. The highly developed pectoral fins form “wings” allowing characteristic undulating swimming.

Characteristics

Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.

Habitat and distribution

It frequents shallow coastal waters, sandy or muddy bottoms as well as areas close to reefs. It is also occasionally found in the open sea when traveling. It favors coastal areas rich in molluscs and crustaceans, its main source of food.

Behaviour

This species is generally solitary but can form small groups during seasonal migrations. It spends much of its time scavenging the seafloor in search of food, sometimes burying itself partially in the sand. It is capable of swimming long distances thanks to its powerful pectoral fins. If it feels threatened, it can use its venomous tail stinger to defend itself.

Reproduction

The eagle ray is ovoviviparous: the eggs develop and hatch inside the mother's body. The young are therefore born already formed, after a gestation which lasts several months. The litter generally numbers from a few individuals to around ten young people depending on the population. Sexual maturity is reached after several years of growth.

Peculiarities

Its nickname “sea bird” comes from its undulating swimming, reminiscent of the flight of a gliding bird. Its venomous tail sting, although rarely fatal to humans, can cause painful wounds. This species is sometimes confused with other eagle rays of the genus Myliobatis present in other regions of the world.

Threats and conservation

eagle ray is threatened by accidental fishing in nets intended for other species. The degradation of coastal habitats, particularly through pollution and coastal urbanization, is reducing their breeding and feeding areas. Its slow growth and low fertility make it vulnerable to overexploitation.

References

Profile updated 28 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.