Common skate (Dipturus batis). Snout long and pointed. An imaginary line
from the tip of the snout to the tip of the wing would not touch the front of the disc
Dorsal surface is grey or brown, with a variable pattern of spots and blotches. Ventral
surface is grey. 12-28 thorns run down the tail.

Shagreen ray (Leucoraja fullonica). Dorsal surface plain coloured and snout
pointed. This is an offshore species occasionally caught in the area

Cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus). Disc tips broadly rounded. Upper side brown
with faint light and dark spots. Distinct black eye-spot, marbled with irregular
yellowish spots on each wing. More common in Irish Sea and Cardigan Bay than Bristol Channel

Blonde ray (Raja brachyura). Dorsal surface light brown with numerous small,
black spots extending to the very outer edges of disc. 60-90 rows of teeth in the
upper jaw.

Thornback ray (Raja clavata). Dorsal surface variably coloured with shades
of brown/grey, variegated with dark and light spots and blotches, often mottled and marbled
and producing reticulate patterns. A series of dark and light bands along the tail.

Smalleyed ray (Raja microocellata). Dorsal surface yellow/light brown with a
characteristic pattern of light blotches and long whitish stripes parallel to front and
rear margins of disc. Underside white. More common off the coast of South Wales.

Spotted ray (Raja montagui). Dorsal surface brown, with numerous black spotsnot extending
to the extreme margins of disc. Occasionally with a pale blotch encircled by
black spots on dorsal surface giving the appearance of an eye-spot.

Undulate ray (Raja undulata). Dorsal surface yellow/brown with a
characteristic pattern of ndulating dark stripes all edged with small white
spots. Underside white. More common in south.

Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca). Tail slender and whip-like and with a
serrated spine. Dorsal surface brownish. Typically caught inshore during the summer. The spine is
connected to poison glands and can cause painful stings.

Electric rays (Torpedo spp.). Pectoral fins enlarged and fleshy. Conspicuous caudal fin at the end of the tail. Two species occur in Welsh waters, the electric rayis dark brown, and the marbled electric ray has a characteristic mottled brown appearance.