---
title: Rays (Batoidea)
scientific_name: Batoidea
common_name: Rays
rank: Superorder
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-08T12:52:19.552Z
tags: Rays, Batoidea, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays
---

# Rays (*Batoidea*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Superorder
- **Scientific name:** Batoidea
- **Body shape:** Flattened - Pressed flat top-to-bottom, lies on the bottom - rays, flounders, crocodilefishes.
- **Subcategories:** 9

## How to recognise this group

- flattened body, disc or diamond-shaped
- broad, wing-like pectoral fins fused to head
- gill slits visible on underside of body
- long, slender tail, often whip-like

Rays (Batoidea) are cartilaginous fishes with flattened bodies and broad, wing-like pectoral fins fused to the head, forming a disc. Five to seven pairs of gill slits are located ventrally. Body shapes vary, from near-circular to rhomboid discs, with a slender tail that may be whip-like or carry one or more venomous spines. Sizes range from 15 cm (6 in) disc width to large pelagic rays exceeding 7 metres (23 ft) across. Many bottom-dwelling species exhibit cryptic colours - mottled browns, greys, or sands - for camouflage.

Most rays are demersal, inhabiting sandy flats, seagrass beds, and reef slopes from the intertidal zone down to 200 metres (650 ft). They often rest partially or fully buried in sand, using spiracles behind their eyes to draw in oxygenated water for respiration. Pelagic species, such as manta and eagle rays, swim continuously in open water, often near drop-offs or pinnacles. Demersal rays typically prey on benthic invertebrates like crustaceans and molluscs, while pelagic species filter-feed on zooplankton. Various ray species are commonly encountered across Red Sea dive sites.


## Subcategories

- [Butterfly ray (Gymnuridae)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays/butterfly-ray)
- [Cownose rays (Rhinoptera)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays/cownose-rays)
- [Eagle ray (Myliobatidae)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays/eagle-ray)
- [Electric ray (Torpedinidae)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays/electric-ray)
- [Guitarfish (Rhinobatidae)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays/guitarfish)
- [Mantas and devil rays (Mobula)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays/mantas-and-devil-rays)
- [Sawfish (Pristidae)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays/sawfish)
- [Wedgefish (Rhinidae)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays/wedgefish)
- [Whiptail stingray (Dasyatidae)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays/whiptail-stingray)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/rays)*
*Updated: August 8, 2026*