Volume 38, Plate XXIII / Ichthyology (Fish)

Spine-Tailed Elipesurus

Elipesurus spinicauda

Found in the Rio Branco at Fort San Joaquim and called Naree-naree, this spine-tailed ray was eighteen inches long but very thin, lacking the usual horny spine and bearing instead spiny excrescences over a much-shortened tail. Of an ochreous colour with prominent eyes and very large nostrils, it digs holes in the sand to await prey, the body more oval than its kindred and covered with dark reticulated markings; it is eaten but not preferred.