The Blonde Ray (Raja brachyura) can grow up to around 30lb but are usually about 20lb.
Blonde ray from English Channel
Identification[]
A short snouted ray, the outer angles of the wings are almost right-angles. The adults backs are covered with prickles, the young are smooth except for the front edges of body. large eyes, a row of spines runs down the back and onto the tail on small specimens but are restricted to the tail on adults, with lateral spines only showing on adult females. Colour: on the back a light fawn to brown with many small black spots which extend to extreme edge of disc, also has a few indistinct larger creamy spots. Underside is white. Breeding: Young would seem to hatch from their rectangular horned egg cases during the summer.
Habitat[]
Normally found in less than 100m and shows a preference for sandy grounds, rarely over rough ground. Makes definite local migrations often in unisexual shoals.
Blonde Ray Eggcase
Food[]
Mainly small fish, but also crustaceans, will occasionally take Molluscs
Range[]
Common on the Western and Southern Coasts of Britain as far North as the Western Isles of Scotland.
References[]
The Aquarium Project