Fish Identification Photos: Round Stingray, Urobatis halleri. The Round Stingray varies in color from light brown to tan and on occasion has a series of small dark brown spots on its disc.

The disc is slightly longer than it is wide and has fairly straight front side margins with a pointed snout and rounded pectoral wings. The tail is short and stout, equal to or less than one-half the length of the disc, with a large stinger and large rounded tail fin. The “stingers” are impressive (as pictured below) and approximately 1 inch in length.

The Round Stingray is easily confused with the Concentric Stingray, Urobatis concentrius (round rings), and the Spotted Stingray, Urobatis maculates (dark blotches near the center) with the only principal difference being in coloration. The Round Stingray can reach a maximum size of 22 inches long and 12 inches wide.

It is found in shallow inlets, bays and lagoons at depths up to 70 feet during warm water periods but normally in water as deep as 300 feet.

It is found on sandy bottoms, over rubble or rocks adjacent to reefs. During August and September mothers give birth to 3 to 8 babies that measure 4 inches at birth.

The Round Stingray has a broad distribution and is found in all Mexican waters; however, it appears to be absent from around the oceanic islands.

The Round Stingray, the most common stingray off California beaches, is a member of the Myliobatiformes or Stingray Order, Urolophidae or Round Ray Family, and Urobatis Genus.

Round Stingray, Urobatis halleri: Two similar fish pictured. First photo upon collection of first fish. Other photos of a second fish a few hours after collection; major fading of the spots occurred. Caught from shore in August 2005, utilizing 15-pound test and a fish-finder rig, 0.5-ounce sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #6, on cut squid, at Km. 65 (Trailer Park) between Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The size of each was approximately 15 inches with texture surprisingly "meaty." Description and photos courtesy John Snow.