Southern eagle ray

The Southern eagle ray (Myliobatis goodei), also known as the Southern eagle fish or rockfish, is a species in the family Myliobatidae. It was first described by Samuel Garman in 1885. This ray inhabits the Atlantic coast, ranging from Florida to Argentina, and has been spotted as far south as Argentina and as far north as southern Mexico, with sightings also reported in Australia and the Maldives. It typically resides in shallow waters, often at depths of less than 100 meters, but can be found as deep as 200 meters. The species prefers soft seabeds, such as mud, sand, or sea grass, and is commonly found in brackish water. The Southern eagle ray has an average length of 80 cm (31.5 inches), with some individuals reaching up to 125 cm (49 inches). Its disc averages 99 cm (39 inches) in width, making it wider than it is long. The upper side is dark brown, while the underside is light brown or white, often with darker edges. It lacks spines on its disc and is sometimes confused with the bullnose ray due to their similar appearances. This species is a carnivore, feeding primarily on small invertebrates like shrimp, crabs, and gastropods. Southern eagle rays migrate seasonally, moving to estuaries or bays during spring and summer to give birth and returning to open waters in autumn and winter. Young individuals born in summer wait until the end of the next summer before migrating to open waters, while those born in spring migrate ...