Body flattened and disc shaped with elongate, whip-like tail with venomous spine. Spiracles large, adjacent and behind the eyes. Dorsal and anal fins absent. Upper surface of disc either smooth or with tubercles, colour varies from brown to dark bluish-grey, often with mottled blotches or spots. Sting rays are bottom-dwelling fish, with a preference for soft mud, sand or shale ground. Most rays are ovo-viviparous, i.e. they produce eggs that hatch within the body of the parent female. Most species of ray present in the Arabian Gulf have sharp spines on their elongated tail, and can inflict a nasty wound if inadvertently stood on by bathers. Dasyatis kuhlii, Himantura gerrardi, Himantura uarnak, Taeniura melanospila .
Spotted stingray Dasyatis kuhlii
Dark brown with lighter mottled spots; spine on tail. Inshore lagoons, shallow water bays, creeks and sharms. 160 cm.
Long-tailed stingray Himantura uarnak
Light sandy to dark brown with proliferation of darker spots. Venomous spine on tail. 155 cm.
Taeniura melanospila
Rounded disc; brown with darker mottling; two spines on tail. On mud, shale and sand near reefs. Small fish, crustaceans and molluscs. 130 cm.