Estuary Rays
The estuary stingray, estuary stingaree, or brown stingray (Dasyatis fluviorum) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. It is found along the coasts of Queensland and New South Wales in Australia, and typically inhabits rivers and estuaries in mangroves. Growing to 93 cm (37 in) across, this yellow-brown to olive stingray has a rhomboid pectoral fin disc and a smooth, whip-like tail with both dorsal and ventral folds. Its long, narrow nostrils and row of thorns along the midline of the back are additional characteristic features.
Crustaceans and polychaete worms are the main food of the estuary stingray, though it has a perhaps undeserved reputation for consuming farmed shellfish such as oysters. This species has declined or disappeared in many parts of its historic range, likely from a combination of habitat destruction, commercial and recreational fishery activity, and persecution by shellfish farmers.