Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Torpediniformes
- Family
- Trygonorrhinidae
- Genus
- Trygonorrhina
- Species
- fasciata
Habitat
This ray inhabits shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and bays along the southern and eastern coasts of Australia. It prefers sandy or muddy substrates where it can bury itself, typically in depths of 1 to 20 meters. Geographic preferences include areas like New South Wales and Queensland.
Diet
The Southern fiddler ray primarily feeds on benthic invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, and worms. It uses its snout to dig and uncover prey on the ocean floor, exhibiting bottom-feeding behavior mostly during the day. Feeding activity peaks in warmer months when prey is abundant.
Behavior
Southern fiddler rays are generally solitary but may form loose groups in favorable habitats. They are diurnal, spending much of their time buried in sand to ambush prey or avoid predators, and they exhibit minimal territorial behavior. This species is known for its ability to rapidly change direction while swimming.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Conecrn by IUCN.