Species learning profile

Thornback ray

Raja clavata

Thornback ray (Raja clavata) is a saltwater fish associated with demersal habitat in Europe. Large thorn-like spines run along its back and tail.

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সমুদ্রতলRajidae

At a glance

পানি
লোনা পানি
Habitat
সমুদ্রতল
সর্বোচ্চ দৈর্ঘ্য
139 cm
বিস্তৃতি
ইউরোপ
গোত্র
Rajidae
বর্গ
Rajiformes

Observe

How to identify Thornback ray

  • Large thorn-like spines run along its back and tail.
  • Guide context: demersal habitat in Europe.
  • Reported maximum length: 139 cm — capable of growing longer than many people are tall. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.

Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.

Place and pattern

Where it lives—and how it behaves

Habitat and range

This species is associated with demersal habitat across Europe. It lives on or close to the bottom, where sediment, rock, depth, and bottom-dwelling prey matter most.

Behavior

Rests on sand and mud, camouflaged from prey

Food-web connections

What it eats and why it matters

Diet

Crustaceans, fish, and molluscs.

Ecological role

An important bottom predator on continental shelves.

Remember

One fact worth keeping

Thornback ray প্রায় 139 সেমি পর্যন্ত বড় হয় এবং সাধারণত সমুদ্রতল-এর কাছে থাকে।

Think like a conservationist

A conservation lens

Bottom-associated fish can be affected by seafloor disturbance, bycatch, warming, and changes to benthic prey.

This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.

Recall

Quick knowledge check

Which habitat is most closely associated with Thornback ray in this guide?

Keep exploring

References and further reading

Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.

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