Trygonorrhina fasciata
Fiddler ray
Similar Species
Same Genus
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Two species of fiddler ray occur in temperate Australian waters: Trygonorrhina fasciata, confined to NSW and southern Qld waters; and Trygonorrhina guanerius, found west of eastern Bass Strait. Until recently, these two species were considered regional forms of the one species. They are mainly distinguished on the basis of the ornate dorsal markings, with T. fasciata possessing a triangle and T.guanerius three short longitudinal stripes immediately behind the eyes.
Information
Max Size: 126 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 12.4-23.7°C
Depth: 0-180 m
Habitat Generalization Index: 0.62
Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.
Conservation and Rarity
IUCN Status: Not Evaluated
Occurrence: Frequent (11.6% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Few (2 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney