Pacific electric ray (Torpedo californica)

Scientific name: Torpedo californica Ayres, 1855

The Pacific electric ray (Torpedo californica) is a marine fish of the family Torpedinidae.

Biology

Found on the outer continental shelf, around rocks, in kelp beds, over fine sand bottoms or buried in sand. Solitary, nomadic, and can remain suspended in the water with minimal swimming. Feeds on bony fishes, mainly herrings and halibuts. Ovoviviparous. Attacks their prey from the substratum by day and actively forage at night with the aid of its electric organ discharge or EOD. The EOD of a large individual was measured at 50 V; with a low internal organ resistance the power output exceeded 1 kW. Aggressive when provoked but no human has yet been injured by the electric shock. Does not do well in aquariums.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Torpedo californica
Family
Torpedinidae (Electric rays)
Order
Torpediniformes (Electric rays)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
140
Depth range
0–425 m (0–1394 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 425 m, usually 3 - 200 m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: Dixon Entrance, British Columbia, Canada to Sebastian Vizcaino Bay, Baja California, Mexico. Electric rays off Peru, Chile, and Japan may belong to this species.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Other
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec = 17)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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