Latin name

Okamejei jensenae

Other names

Okamejei jensenae

Identification

On the ventral side of the disc there are 5 gill slits, nostrils and a mouth. There are lateral folds on the thin tail. The width of the disc is 1.1-1.2 times the length and is 59-71% of the body length. The elongated and pointed snout forms an angle of 88-98°. In females the tail is comparatively shorter than in adult males (0.8-0.9 vs. 1.1 distance from tip of snout to cloaca). The width of the tail in the middle part is 1.5-1.8 of its height and 1.4-1.7 at the base of the first dorsal fin. The distance from the tip of the snout to the upper jaw is 17-18% of the body length and 2.0-2.2 times the distance between the nostrils. The ventral length of the head is 29-32% of the body length. The length of the snout is 3.3-3.4 times greater and the diameter of the eyes is 67-85 % of the interorbital space. Malar spines are absent. The area of the alar spines is small. The anterior margin of the disc in females is covered on both sides by a narrow barbed band and there is a single median row of barbs. The barbs on the tail are well developed and form 3 rows. The number of vertebrae is 133-138. The upper jaw has 61-76 rows of teeth.  

Features of fish fins

The broad and flat pectoral fins of these stingrays form a diamond-shaped disc. They have 2 reduced dorsal fins and a reduced caudal fin. The height of the first dorsal fin is 2.0-2.7 times the length of its base. The distance from the beginning of the base of the first dorsal fin to the tip of the tail is 3.1-4.0 times the length of its base and 3.2-6.3 times the length of the caudal fin. The pelvic fins are of medium size. The pectoral fins are made up of 80-82 rays. 

Fish colouring

The dorsal surface of the disc is brown with white spots. The ventral surface is whitish and the edges of the disc are yellow. Tiny delicate pores on the ventral side of the disc have no dark rim. Anterior margin of dorsal fin dark, caudal fin pale or brown. 

Distribution

Endemic to the tropical waters off the Philippines. 

Habitat

Marine bottom pelagic species found at depths down to 118m. 

Size

The maximum recorded length is 53.3 cm.

Behavior

Usually nocturnal, they are inactive during the day and burrow underground, leaving only their eyes on the surface.

Food and feeding habits

They feed on small fish and benthic invertebrates. 

Reproduction

Laying eggs. In sexually mature males, the length of the posterior lobe is 16-18% of body length, and the length of the anterior lobe is 71-83% of the length of the posterior lobe.

Fishing

Not a target fishery.

Relationship with a person

An almost extinct species.