Wizard Marbled Electric Ray

The torpedo fish or electric ray appears continuously in premodern natural histories as a magical creature and its ability to numb fishermen without seeming to touch them was a significant source of evidence for the belief in occult qualities in nature during the ages before the discovery of electricity as an explanatory mode.

Wizard marbled electric ray.

The gulf torpedo marbled electric ray or variable electric ray torpedo sinuspersici is a species of electric ray in the family torpedinidae it is found in the indian ocean but may represent a species flock of several local endemic species. Equipped with electric organs this ray is an advanced ambush predator whose mottled skin color renders it nearly invisible to unsuspecting eyes. Males reach maturity at approximately 10 inches 25 1 cm total length and females at 12 inches 31 2 cm total length corresponding to approximately 5 years of age. The marbled electric ray torpedo marmorata is a species of electric ray in the family torpedinidae found in the coastal waters of the eastern atlantic ocean from the north sea to south africa this benthic fish inhabits rocky reefs seagrass beds and sandy and muddy flats in shallow to moderately deep waters.

It is distinguishable from other torpedo species in its range by its ornate dorsal coloration. The marbled electric ray also known as the marbled torpedo ray is one of many ray species that will literally leave prey in shock. It can survive in environments with very little dissolved oxygen such as tidal pools.