The butterfly ray is a species of sea ray native to the shallow waters of the Western Pacific Ocean. Its body is about 1.5 times wider than its head, and its pectoral fins are not separate from the head. Its body is light brown, and its outer layer is covered with dense pale brown or blackish spots that gradually fade to a uniform darker shade of brown after death. Its head is rounded, with a bluntly pointed snout and eyes on top. Its mouth has numerous small teeth in bands. The body margin is slightly concave or rounded.
The butterfly ray is one of the largest of the rays, reaching almost 13 feet in length! The butterfly ray is an important food source, and is known for its ability to hunt small fish and other invertebrates. It can survive in waters of various salt contents, and some species are migratory. Despite the wide variety of food sources, the butterfly ray is a delicate species and should not be mistaken for a sea turtle or other marine mammal.
Spiny butterflies are relatively large, reaching about 6.7 feet across. Their pectoral fin disks have concave front margins and rounded corners. They have a short, blunt snout, and high cone-shaped teeth. They have 10-12 functional rows of teeth. Their tails are short and slender, and they are about a fourth the size of their fin disk. They weigh up to 130 lbs.
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