Cuckoo ray
Leucoraja naevus · Rays and skates
A small skate with a bold eyespot on each wing. It is present all year around the UK, which is the northern edge of its range.[1]
How to recognise it
- One large black and yellow eyespot on the middle of each wing. A spotted ray can show a ring of small dark spots, but never a solid eyespot like this.[1]
- Two parallel rows of strong thorns down each side of the tail, plus a triangle of thorns on the shoulder.[2]
- Short snout, small spines over the back and a pale, ochre to greyish-brown colour. The belly is white.[2]
When and where
Present all year.[1]
Sources
These notes are a draft: we gathered them from the sources above and are still checking them. We don't work out best times for this fish yet. The size rules come from the same checked byelaws as every other fish.