''Benthobatis moresbyi'', commonly known as the dark blindray, dark blind ray, or the Indian blind numbfish, is an

electric ray The electric rays are a group of rays, flattened cartilaginous fish with enlarged pectoral fins, composing the order Torpediniformes . They are known for being capable of producing an electric discharge, ranging from 8 to 220 volts, depending ...

species in the family

Narcinidae Narcinidae, or numbfishes, are a family of electric rays (order Torpediniformes). They are bottom-dwelling cartilaginous fishes with large, rounded pectoral fin discs and long tails. They can produce an electric discharge for defense, from whi ...

. Moresbyi was the captain of R.I.M.S. Investigator, the vessel of Indian Navy for surveying deep-water, Therefore, the species recognized with the name ''Benthobatis moresbyi.''

Description

''B. moresbyi'' is a relatively small electric ray, with males reaching a maximum size of 35.12 centimeters and females a maximum size of 39.24. Its body is entirely dark brown in color. The

caudal fin Fins are moving appendages protruding from the body of fish that interact with water to generate thrust and help the fish swim. Apart from the tail or caudal fin, fish fins have no direct connection with the back bone and are supported only ...

of the species is very long, almost 1/2 the length of its tail. Its dorsal fins have large bases compared to their height, and are located close together.

Habitat and distribution

''B. moresbyi'' occurs in

Yemen Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country in West Asia. Located in South Arabia, southern Arabia, it borders Saudi Arabia to Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, the north, Oman to Oman–Yemen border, the northeast, the south-eastern part ...

Somalia Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, th ...

, and Western

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

, but likely inhabits other areas as well. It is a

bathydemersal Demersal fish, also known as groundfish, live and feed on or near the bottom of ocean, seas or lakes (the demersal zone).Walrond Carl . "Coastal fish - Fish of the open sea floor"Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Updated 2 March 2009 T ...

species, and lives in depths ranging from 787 - 1071 meters. Little is known about its population or threats, but it may be caught by fisheries as a bycatch. It does not have any conservation actions currently taking place for it, and is listed as Least Concern by IUCN.

References

External links

On ITIS
Narcinidae Fish described in 1898 Fish of the Indian Ocean {{Batoid-stub