coach whipray

Scientific name Himantura uarnak
Descriptor Gmelin
Year of description 1789
IUCN category EN
Family Dasyatidae
Genus Himantura
Himantura uarnak Himantura uarnak

Introduction

Himantura uarnak, commonly known as coach whipray, is a brackish water and salt water fish.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    45 cm
  • Maximum size
    200 cm
  • Pattern
    tasks
  • Average size
    45 cm
  • Maximum size
    200 cm
  • Pattern
    tasks

How to recognize the coach whipray ?

The coach whipray measures between 45 and 200 cm. This fish is tricolore with a predominantly noir, marron and blanc body. The also has marron tasks.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    solitary
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The coach whipray is a fish solitary. This species is carnivorous .

n general, this species does not care much about other animals crossing its path.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovovivipare

The coach whipray is a fish ovovivipare.

Risks for humans

  • Venomous
    Yes
  • Sting
    Yes

What to do in the event of a sting?

in case of sting, the following rules should be followed, in this order:

  • Isolate the victim from the danger and quickly remove him or her from the water
  • Call for help
  • Lay the victim down in a half-sitting position and avoid any effort
  • Immobilize the affected limb
  • Clean the wound
  • The venom of this species being thermolabile, it can be neutralized if it is submitted to a temperature of about 45 °C. It is therefore possible to heat the wound. This popular technique should be practiced with great care so as not to aggravate the wound by burning it. It is advisable to immerse the affected limb in hot water.
  • If the puncture is too deep, heating the wound will be less effective.

Sometimes the sting can cause discomfort or even loss of consciousness in the victim. The stings are usually very painful.

Where to find it?

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Depth
    0 - 50 m

Biotope presentation

The coach whipray is most often found at a depth between 0m and 50m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Aurélien Calas

Aurélien Calas

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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Species of the same biotope

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