Hypnos monopterygium Shaw & Nodder 1795
numbfish, electric ray, coffin ray
The numbfish has a large round body lobe and a smaller round pelvic lobe which carries 2 dorsal fins and a very short tail. It has small eyes which are raised when active. The body is thick and blubbery.
Their appearance in the Bay and at Julian Rocks is seasonal, commonly in March. They are usually seen singly.
This animal is well known for its power to shock. It has a large electric organ behind the spiracles which can generate 200v. This can both stun prey and deter predators.
The numbfish’s diet consists of crabs worms and small fish. There are also reports of numbfish attempting to eat relatively large prey, including rats and penguins, whole. One came to a bad end on Main Beach when it took on a porcupinefish.They may also be scavengers.
Little is known about their breeding habits. Females are larger than males, pups are about 10cms long.
They seem to have poor vision and have been observed slamming into rocks and bouncing off.
