Ray (fish) - Definition and Overview

Rays are a group (superorder Rajomorphii or Batoidea) of cartilaginous fishes. They are extremely flat but closely related to the sharks. According to recent DNA analyses the catshark is more closely related to the rays than to other sharks. Young rays look very much like young sharks.

Most rays live at the bottom of the sea. Only a few species live in the open sea or in freshwater. Rays feed on crustaceans or fish, depending on the species. No ray can kill humans, but the stingray can inflict a painful sting.

For the main types of rays see stingrays, eagle rays, cow nose rays, manta rays, electric rays, and sawfishes.