Solitary and nocturnal, the ocellated electric ray conceals itself during the day by lying partially buried in the sand, usually near a rocky reef (1). It emerges at night-time to hunt for prey, using its pectoral fins to glide along the bottom while searching for small shrimp, fish and polychaete worms (1) (5). The electricity generating organs at the sides of the head are can deliver a powerful electric shock, which can be employed in defence when threatened (2) (6) (7).
The ocellated electric ray is an ovoviviparous species, which means that it produces eggs that develop and hatch internally, and therefore gives birth to live young. While inside the uterus, the embryos are initially nourished by the egg yolk sac, but once hatched receive additional nourishment from a nutrient-rich fluid produced by the lining of the mother’s uterus. The entire gestation period lasts for around eight to ten months (4).