Thornback Rays are by far the commonest Irish Ray, inhabiting virtually every bay around the coast. And when brought into captivity, they quickly become one of the friendliest fish in the aquarium.

Rays are instantly recognisable due to their large “wings” which they use to glide through the water. These “wings” are actually large pectoral fins, and where as in most fish the fins balance and the tails propel, with Rays it is the other way around.

Like Dogfish, Rays reproduce by mating sexually. The female Ray lays several large egg-cases on the sea-bed, and a baby Ray develops inside each egg-case for about 5 months. By the time the baby Ray hatches, it is already a fully formed Ray, ready to fend for itself, and it goes straight into hunting for small crustaceans on its own. Empty egg-cases from previously hatched Rays (and Dogfish) often wash up on beaches round the shore, and these are known as Mermaids Purses.

Most of our adult Rays are in our large, open Ray Pool, and it is amazing to watch them react to visitors- the more people around the tank, the more they come to the surface to say “Hello”.