Ray (fish)

Rays (Batidoidimorpha, formerly Rajiformes) are a group of cartilaginous fishes. They are extremely flat but closely related to the sharks. According to recent DNA analyses the cat shark is more closely related to the rays than to other sharks. Young rays look very much like young sharks. Rays are also closely related to skates.

Most rays live at the bottom of the sea. Only a few species live in the open sea or in freshwater. Rays feed on crustaceans or fish, depending on the species. No ray can kill humans, but the stingray can inflict a painful sting.

For the classification of rays see Chondrichthyes.

For the main types of rays see stingrays, eagle rays, cow nose rays, manta rays, electric rays, and sawfishes.

• The orders of rays:
  • Order Batidoidimorpha, formerly Rajiformes (common rays)
  • Order Myliobatiformes (eagle rays, manta rays etc.)
  • Order Pristiformes (sawfishes)
  • Order Torpediniformes (electric rays)