Family : Dasyatidae (Stingrays)
Order : Rajiformes  (skates and rays)
Class : Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays)
Fishbase Name : Cowtail stingray
Fish Name : Pastinachus sephen
Max size : 183 cm WD (male/unsexed; Ref. 37816)
Environment : reef-associated; amphidromous ; depth range - 60 m
Climate : tropical; 32°N - 32°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Very low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Assuming FecDistribution : Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Persian Gulf and South Africa to Micronesia, north to Japan, south to Melanesia and the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0. A large, plain, dark stingray with an angular snout and pectoral disc; tail long and broad-based, less than twice body length, and with no upper caudal finfold but with high lower caudal finfold- 2 to 3 times depth of tail but not reaching tail tip; no large thorns; 1 or 2 long stings on tail, further behind tail base than in most stingrays; unique hexagonal, high-crowned teeth (Ref. 5578). Dark brown or black dorsally without conspicuous markings, white ventrally (Ref. 5578). Tail black (Ref. 3263).
Biology : Found in lagoons, reef flats, and reef faces (Ref. 12951). Also in rivers far from the sea (Ref. 5578). Feeds on bony fishes, worms, shrimp, and crabs (Ref. 12951). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Adults are sometimes accompanied by remoras or members of the trevally family (Ref. 6871). Size at birth about 18 cm WD or larger (Ref. 6871). Flesh utilized as food and skin used for polishing wood (Ref. 4832). Possibly caught by sports anglers (Ref. 5578). Recently there is a targeted fishery on this species for its skin, which is used as 'shagreen' in fashion accessories, from wallets to fancy pens; as a result, the species is in danger of disappearance (IHT 26.11.2005, p.5). Maximum length about 300 cm TL (Ref. 30573)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : venomous
Coordinator : McEachran, John
Main Ref : Last, P.R. and J.D. Stevens. 1994. (Ref. 6871)

India country information
Common Names : Feathertail stingray, ഓല വാലന് തിരണ്ടി, ஆத திருக்கை, இலை திருக்கை, गोवळ, पकात, गोवळ पकात, அடல் தீருக்கை, ஆதல் திருக்கை, வோல்க டென்கீ , പടിയന് തെരണ്ടി, அடவலன் தீருக்கை, உலைவல் தீருக்கை , പടിയന് തിരണ്ടി , പടിയന് തിരണ്ടി  , ಕೊಟ್ಟರ್ ತೊರಕೆ, ഒലപടയന് തിരണ്ടി, പുഴിയന് തിരുക്കെ, പുഴിയന് തിരുക്കൈ, அதவாழன் திருக்‍கை, ஓலைவால் திருக்‍கை, వెలుగిరి టెంకీ , వెలుగిరి టెంకీ  , அடதீருக்கை, ആറ്റുതിരുത, ആള്പിടിയന് തിരണ്ടി, അതുതിരുക്കൈ, കൊറ്റിവാലന് തിരണ്ടി, കൊട്ടിവേലന് തിരണ്ടി , ௭ல்த்தீருக்கை, వోల్గా టెంకీ, ഒലവലന് തിരണ്ടി, Adal-thirikkai, Adathirukkai, Adavalan-tiriki, Athuthirukkai, Drab stingray, Elathirukkai, Frill tailed sting ray, Goval-pakat, Kottar-thorake, Kottivalen-therandi, Madi, Olaival thirukkai, Olapadayan thirandi, Olavalan-thirandi, Padaiyan-therandee, Puzhian-thirukkai, Sting ray, Velugiri-tenkee, Wolga-tenkee, Cowtail ray, Shankar-machh
Status : native
Salinity : freshwater, brackish, marine
Uses : no uses