electric ray
Tetronarce nobiliana
Large electric ray, which can give shocks of up to 220 volts. It lives from Canada to Brazil, and is sometimes caught on the line. Be careful when handling it.
Also called: raia-elétrica-atlântica, torpedo del Atlántico, temblador de mar, Atlantic torpedo, electric ray
- maximum
- 180 cm
- record/max.
- 90.0 kg
- depth
- 10–150 m
who is the electric ray
The Atlantic electric ray belongs to the family Torpedinidae and reaches 180 cm and 90 kg. It has an almost round disc and can give electric shocks of up to 220 volts. Juveniles live on the bottom, on soft bottoms or near coral reefs, 10 to 150 m deep. Adults stay more in the water column and can migrate long distances. It feeds on bony fish from the bottom and from midwater, as well as small sharks. It is ovoviviparous, with litters of up to 60 pups, born at 23 cm. It has no commercial interest, but is occasionally caught on the line.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the electric ray.
fun facts
- In the South Pacific, males mature at around 60 cm.
identification
Skate with an almost round disc, a short, thick tail and a large oar-shaped caudal fin. The back is black or dark grey and shiny, unmarked, and the underside is white. The edges of the disc and pelvic fins have the same color as the back. The electric discharge, of up to 220 volts, is the trait that most calls for care.
Loading the next 7 days…
Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Occurs worldwide. In the western Atlantic, it ranges from Nova Scotia, in Canada, to Brazil, including the Bahamas, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and French Guiana.
Habitat: Juveniles on soft bottoms or near reefs, 10 to 150 m; adults in the water column, in open sea.
coast
rules for the electric ray
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Caution: this ray can give a strong electric shock, of up to 220 volts. Do not touch the head or disc with bare hands, and release it with minimal handling.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01413, b = 2.98; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Tetronarce nobiliana (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Tetronarce nobilianaNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.