Ornate Numbfish, Narcinops ornata Carvalho 2008

Ornate Numbfish, Narcine ornata. Source: CSIRO National Fish Collection. License: CC BY Attribution
Summary:
A distinctive numbfish with an elaborate dorsal pattern of large and medium-sized dark brown spots that are variously fused and elongated to appear as stripes, and surrounded by smaller spots on most of the dorsal surface including the snout and tail regions.
This species was previously known as Narcine ornata.
This species was previously known as Narcine ornata.
Cite this page as:
Hicks, T. & Bray, D.J. 2017, Narcinops ornata in Fishes of Australia, accessed 19 May 2022, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2643
Ornate Numbfish, Narcinops ornata Carvalho 2008
More Info
Distribution |
Endemic to northern Australia from Londonberry, Western Australia, to western Cape York, Queensland, at depths of 50-130 metres. |
Size |
To about 24 cm total length. |
Colour |
Upper surface covered in dark brownish pink spots; some spots joined together to make longitudinal stripes on mid-disc; spiracular membrane covered in small dark spots. Ventral surface white. |
Feeding |
Feeds on small invertebrates including worms on the bottom. |
Similar Species |
Previously confused with the Banded Numbfish (Narcine westraliensis), which occurs further south in Western Australia. |
Species Citation |
Narcine ornata Carvalho 2008, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper No. 022: 242. Type locality: Gulf of Carpentaria, 12°58′ S, 139°10′ E, 56 m, FRV Southern Surveyor, SS 7/93/21. |
Author |
Hicks, T. & Bray, D.J. 2017 |
Resources |
Ornate Numbfish, Narcinops ornata Carvalho 2008
References
Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. (as Narcine sp.)
Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. (misidentified in part as Narcine ornata - illustration p. 26)
Carvalho, M.R. de 2008. New species of numbfishes from Australia, with a key to Australian electric rays of the genus Narcine Henle, 1834 (Chondrichthyes: Torpediniformes: Narcinidae). pp. 241-260 in Last, P.R., White, W.T. & Pogonoski, J.J. (eds). Descriptions of new Australian chondrichthyans. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper No. 022: 1-358 (as Narcine ornata) Ref. available online, open access
Carvalho, M.R. de, Compagno, L.J.V. & Last, P.R. 1999. Family Narcinidae. pp. 1433-1446 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. (as Narcine sp. A)
Carvalho, M.R. de & Last, P.R. 2016. Family Narcinidae pp. 137-169. In: Last, P.R., White, W.T., de Carvalho, M.R., Séret, B., Stehmann, M.F.W. & & Naylor, G.J.P. (eds) Rays of the World. Melbourne: CSIRO Publishing, 800 pp.
Last, P.R & Stevens, J.D. 2009. Sharks and rays of Australia.Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing Australia
Gloerfelt-Tarp, T. & Kailola, P.J. 1984. Trawled Fishes of Southern Indonesia and Northwest Australia. Jakarta : Dir. Gen. Fish. (Indonesia), German Tech. Coop., Aust. Dev. Ass. Bur. 406 pp. (NT & north WA specimens misidentified as as Narcine westraliensis)
Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls. (as Narcine sp. A.)
Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Collingwood : CSIRO Publishing Australia 2, 550 pp. (as Narcine ornata)