Raja naevus
Distinguishing features
The cuckoo ray is one of the rarer of the European rays and has the typical ray shape with comparatively large rounded pectoral fins. There is a double line of spines down the tail and rear of the back. Small spines cover most of the upper surface and underside of the snout. The back is a patchy grayish brown with distinct black and yellow marks on each wing.
Size
This ray can grow to a length of around 70 cm.
British Record Fish List
UK Shore Record: 4lb 10oz 0dms / 2.097kgs
UK Boat Record: 5lb 11oz 0dms / 2.579kgs
European Line Class Record for this species
Habitat
Lives over clean seabed in depths from 20 to 150 metres. It is found from the north of the UK and southern Norway down the Atlantic coast and North Sea into the west end of the Mediterranean.
Food
The diet consists of shrimps and worms when young with fish forming the main food for adults.
<h5Bait
Mackerel strip is generally the most effective bait for this species.
