Common names

Yellowspotted Fanray, Thornback Ray.

Binomial

Platyrhina tangi.

Synonyms

None.

Identification

A medium-sized fanray with a heart-shaped disc, an obliquely pointed snout, and a broad torso. Pectoral fin apices broadly rounded. Pelvic fins long and low, with broadly rounded outer margins and acutely angular free rear tips.
Eyes somewhat protruding, and closely spaced. Nostrils thin, well separated, and positioned somewhat obliquely. Nostrils connected to mouth by a wide groove.
Skin covered in small dermal denticles. Short thorns present on midline from nape to second dorsal fin. Two pairs of large, flattened, oval thorns present on inner and outer shoulders. Two large thorns anterior, and 2 thorns posterior to each eye.
Tail long and broad; tapering gently to terminal lobe. Two high dorsal fins with rounded apices and mildly convex posterior margins present on posterior tail. Origin of first dorsal fin approximately at mid tail. Caudal lobe large and spatulate. Caudal sting absent.

Colour

Dorsum greyish brown, beige, or brown, sometimes with a dusky stripe along midline. Enlarged thorns on midline, shoulders, and around eyes yellow – collectively forming a dotted, yellow cross. Ventrum white, usually with a few grey blotches. Dusky towards ventral margin of disc.

Size

Maximum length at least 64cm, probably 70cm. Size at birth unknown.