atlantic torpedo known atlantic torpedo species electric ray family found atlantic_ocean nova scotia brazil west scotland west_africa southern africa east occurring depths younger individuals generally inhabit shallower sandy muddy habitats adults nature frequent open water long weighing atlantic torpedo largest known electric ray like members genus circular pectoral fin disk nearly straight leading margin robust tail large triangular caudal fin distinctive characteristics include uniform dark color smooth paired respiratory openings eyes dorsal fins unequal size solitary nocturnal atlantic torpedo capable generating volts electricity subdue prey defend predators diet consists mainly bony fishes feeds small sharks crustaceans viviparous species developing embryos yolk later provided milk females birth young following gestation period year electric shock species severe painful fatal properties atlantic torpedo medicine ancient greeks romans namesake naval weapon prior 19th century liver oil lamp fuel longer economic value listed species caught unintentionally commercial recreational impact activities population unknown taxonomy scientific description atlantic torpedo published french naturalist principal work sixteen specimens designated assignment southern african great torpedo species provisional type electric ray found indian_ocean belong atlantic torpedo placed subgenus differs torpedo subgenus torpedo having generally plain coloration smooth common names include atlantic electric ray british torpedo black torpedo electric ray torpedo species placed genus description atlantic torpedo nearly circular pectoral fin disc times wide long thick nearly straight margin eyes small followed larger inner nostrils close mouth skin times wide long rear margin mouth wide arched prominent furrows corners teeth pointed increase number age ranging rows juveniles rows adults series teeth functional gill slits small fifth pairs shorter pelvic fins rounded slightly overlapped disc dorsal fin triangular rounded apex originating pelvic fin second dorsal fin half thirds large distance dorsal fins length dorsal fin base stout tail comprises total length terminating caudal fin shaped like triangle slightly convex margins skin soft completely devoid dermal denticles scales dorsal coloration plain dark brown gray spots fin margins underside white dark fin margins largest electric rays atlantic torpedo measure long weigh length weight typical females attain larger size males distribution habitat atlantic torpedo widely distributed cool waters sides atlantic_ocean east found northern scotland including entire mediterranean_sea black_sea azores western south_africa west occurs southern nova scotia venezuela brazil rare north_sea mediterranean south north_carolina torpedoes primarily dwelling usually found depths sandy muddy flats near coral reefs mature habits adults encountered swimming open ocean species recorded surface depth mediterranean common depths said long migratory movements biology ecology like members family atlantic torpedo capable generating powerful electric shock pair kidney shaped electric organs disc attack defense organs comprise sixth ray total weight contain half million filled electric plates arranged average vertical columns visible beneath skin columns essentially act batteries connected parallel enabling large atlantic torpedo produce electricity volts provided fed rested electric organ occur series train closely spaced lasting seconds trains contain average trains recorded ray regularly obvious external solitary nature atlantic torpedo seen resting half buried substrate day active night large defended attack seldom falls prey animals known parasites atlantic torpedo include minus accounts suggest ray able survive water day feeding diet atlantic torpedo consists mainly bony fishes including salmon known small crustaceans captive rays observed lying fish pass moment contact ray traps prey body pectoral fin disc delivering strong electric strategy allows sluggish ray capture relatively fast moving fish subdued prey mouth motions disc head ray highly jaws allow surprisingly large prey intact salmon weighing found stomach individual contained summer long ray known kill fish larger eat life history atlantic torpedo viviparous developing embryos sustained yolk later supplemented protein fat enriched milk produced mother females functional possibly reproductive cycle year long gestation period females bear pups summer litter size increases size female embryo long pair deep disc marking origin pectoral fins curtain skin nostrils developed hand eyes dorsal fins tail reached adult proportions newborn rays measure long anterior disc males females reach sexual maturity lengths respectively human interactions seldom life threatening electric discharge atlantic torpedo severe knock person unconscious greater danger divers follows shock atlantic torpedo commercial value meat caught incidentally commercial recreational fisheries hook line caught sea generally discarded cut bait data assess atlantic torpedo negatively affected fishing mortality specific data catch rates population trends lacking degradation coral reefs important juveniles slow reproductive rate limit capacity recover population electric fishes including atlantic torpedo medicine classical era 1st century roman physician wrote application live dark torpedo patients afflicted chronic atlantic torpedo namesake naval weapon american inventor began word torpedo describe bombs submarines attach ships early devices akin modern day mines widespread introduction 19th century liver oil species regarded equal quality sperm whale oil use lamps 1950s oil small quantities fishermen united_states treatment muscle stomach farm machinery species electric rays atlantic torpedo model organism research electric organs rich proteins proteins play important role processes involved functioning
Atlantic torpedo