There are around 69 species in this family. Most species are found in shallow tropical and subtropical oceans around the world, although some species in Africa and South America are found in rivers and lakes.
They have rounded or oval shaped pectoral fins and long, whip-like tails with one or more poisonous barbed spines on the near the base of their tails. They have small mouths, no anal fin, and no caudal fin.
Most of the species in this family spend their time partially buried under the sand or mud on the ocean floor. They use their pectoral fins to stir up worms, crustaceans, and mollusks. They are viviparous. That means they give birth to live young.
World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.
US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
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