Narcine timlei, the blackspotted numbfish, black-spotted electric ray, Indian electric ray, largespotted numbfish or spotted numbfish,[3] is a species of numbfish in the family Narcinidae.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Disc-shaped body with a rounded snout and a long, thin tail

• Brownish-yellow color with small, dark spots on the dorsal surface

• Ventral surface is white or pale yellow

• Maximum length: approximately 30 cm (12 in)

• Maximum weight: approximately 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)

• Width of disc: approximately 1.5 times the length of the body

• Snout length: approximately 1/3 of the disc width

• Tail length: approximately 1.5 times the disc width

 HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION

• Found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from Mexico to Ecuador

• Inhabits shallow, tropical waters with sandy or muddy bottoms

• Typically found at depths of 10-100 meters (33-330 feet)

• Prefers areas with low currents and high sedimentation

BEHAVIOR AND DIET

• Nocturnal species, resting on the bottom during the day

• Feeds on small invertebrates, such as:

  1. Crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, lobsters)

  2. Mollusks (clams, snails, slugs)

  3. Worms (polychaete, oligochaete)

• Uses its electric organs to capture prey and defend against predators

• Electric discharge can reach up to 50 volts

REPRODUCTION

• Ovoviviparous species, with embryos developing in eggs within the mother's body

• Gives birth to live young, typically 2-5 pups per litter

• Reproductive cycle is not well understood

•  Gestation period estimated to be around 6-12 months

• Females may have multiple litters per year

INTERESTING FACTS

•  Electric rays like Narcine timlei have specialized electric organs that produce an electric discharge, used for hunting and self-defense

• They are relatively slow-moving and use their electric organs to immobilize prey

• Can detect electrical signals from prey using specialized electroreceptors called ampullae of Lorenzini Parasites

• Narcine timlei is host to a number of parasites including:

1. Charopinus narcinae

2. Caudacanthus narcini

3. Pseudocharopinus narcinae

4. Taeniacanthus narcini