Whip stingray (Hemitrygon akajei) is a saltwater, brackish species recorded in Taiwan. It is found at depths of 10–50 m.
Scientific name: Hemitrygon akajei · Water: Saltwater, Brackish
Size: up to 200 cm
The whip stingray is a dasyatid and a bottom-dwelling stingray of the north-west Pacific, ranging from the central Chinese coast to northern Japan, living over sand and mud around coral reefs and estuaries from about 10 to 50 m. It feeds on small fishes and crustaceans, is ovoviviparous with small litters, and therefore reproduces slowly. It is taken commercially by local fisheries, is a game fish and an aquarium species, and its meat is of limited value, served in miso soup, hard boiled or as kamaboko. It reaches about 200 cm total length, commonly about 100 cm, and about 10.7 kg. Trophic level is 3.8, fishing vulnerability high to very high at 74 of 100, resilience low, and climate vulnerability very high at 87 of 100. IUCN lists it as near threatened.
Caution: has venomous spines. Take great care when unhooking and handling; the sting is extremely painful.
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