Head to head
Undulate Ray vs Small-eyed Ray
Undulate Ray
VS Small-eyed Ray
The undulate ray and the small-eyed ray are two close relatives that share sandy shallows around the British Isles, and both are in trouble.
| Undulate Ray | Small-eyed Ray | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Raja undulata | Raja microocellata |
| Relationship | A close relative of the small-eyed ray, in the same genus | A close relative of the undulate ray, in the same genus |
| Pattern | A brown to yellowish back marked with pale, wavy, undulating lines and dark spots | A brown to yellowish back dotted with pale and dark spots and short bands |
| Eyes | Ordinary-sized eyes on a diamond-shaped body | Smaller eyes than other similar rays, which gives it its common name |
| Size | Usually around 70 cm to a metre long | Usually around 70 to 80 cm long, though larger fish occur |
| Habitat | Sandy and gravelly bottoms in coastal and shelf waters, mostly shallower than about 200 m | Shallow water over sandy bottoms, often close inshore and in estuaries and bays |
| Strongholds | Survives in significant numbers in a few places, such as the Channel Islands, the Bristol Channel, and Brittany | Remains locally common in the Bristol Channel and around Cornwall |
| Conservation status | Endangered, after heavy trawl and net fishing | Near Threatened, with a limited range and reduced by fishing |
Undulate Ray vs Small-eyed Ray: common questions
Which one is more threatened?
The undulate ray, which is Endangered, whereas the small-eyed ray is Near Threatened.
Why is it called the undulate ray?
Its back is marked with pale, wavy, undulating lines.
Which one lives closer to shore?
The small-eyed ray, which lives mostly in shallow water over sandy bottoms, often close inshore and in estuaries and bays.