Head to head
Blonde Ray vs Thornback Ray
Blonde Ray
VS Thornback Ray
The blonde ray and the thornback ray are two of the best-known rays around Britain and Ireland, and both are caught by anglers and trawlers.
| Blonde Ray | Thornback Ray | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Raja brachyura | Raja clavata |
| Relationship | A close relative of the thornback, in the same genus | A close relative of the blonde ray, in the same genus |
| Size | Reaches more than a metre across the body | Usually 60 to 85 cm long, though larger fish occur |
| Colour | Pale yellowish-brown to sandy on top, with many small dark spots and a few paler blotches | Brown to grey with pale blotches, which blend with sand, gravel, and mud |
| Thorns | Rows of thorns along its tail and small thorns on its back | A back and tail studded with prickly thorns, and larger spines in rows along the tail |
| Egg cases | Large, rectangular cases with a horn at each corner | Tough, rectangular cases with a horn at each corner |
| Diet | Fish, crabs, shrimps, and other crustaceans on the sandy sea bed | Crabs, shrimps, worms, and small fish on the sand and mud of the sea bed |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened, reduced by fishing across much of its range | Near Threatened, though still the commonest ray in many coastal waters |
Blonde Ray vs Thornback Ray: common questions
Which ray is bigger?
The blonde ray, which reaches more than a metre across the body, while the thornback is usually 60 to 85 cm.
How can you tell them apart?
The blonde ray is pale and golden with fine dark spots, whereas the thornback is brown to grey with pale blotches and a back studded with thorns.
Are both threatened?
Both are Near Threatened, because they grow slowly, mature late, and have been reduced by fishing.