| Onefin electric ray | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Superorder: | Batoidea |
| Order: | Torpediniformes |
| Family: | Narkidae |
| Genus: | Narke |
| Species: | N. capensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Narke capensis (Gmelin, 1789)
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| |
| Range of the onefin electric ray[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Raja capensis Gmelin, 1789 | |
The onefin electric ray or Cape numbfish (Narke capensis) is a common but little-known species of electric ray in the family Narkidae, native to South Africa and Namibia. It is a benthic fish found in shallow coastal bays over sandy or muddy bottoms. This small species reaches 38 cm (15 in) in length, and has a nearly circular pectoral fin disc and a short, muscular tail that supports a large caudal fin. It can be identified by its single dorsal fin, which is located over the large pelvic fins. Its dorsal coloration is yellowish to dusky brown.
Like other members of its family, the onefin electric ray can defend itself with a strong electric shock produced from a pair of kidney-shaped electric organs beside its head. It feeds mainly on polychaete worms, and likely gives birth to live young. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) presently lacks enough information to assess the conservation status of this species. It is often caught incidentally by bottom trawl fisheries off South Africa, and may also be impacted by pollution from coastal development.
- ^ a b Pollom, R.; Da Silva, C.; Ebert, D.A.; Leslie, R.; McCord, M.E.; Winker, H. (2019). "Narke capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T161614A124515050. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T161614A124515050.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.