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Rays and Sawfish

Closely related to sharks

Please be aware that our Day & Night on the Reef oceanarium is currently closed for an exciting update, which means some species of rays and sawfish might not be visible to our guests. Ocean explorers will still be able to see our amazing creatures, including our dugong, sharks, rays, jellyfish, turtles, penguins and our other incredible marine life throughout the rest of the aquarium! Please sign up to our newsletter for updates on our Day & Night on the Reef Oceanarium reopening.




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Discover our species of rays and sawfish

Here at SEA LIFE Sydney we have such a variety of rays from our queen mattress sized Smooth Ray to our little stingarees. Dive in and discover all about these majestic creatures.  

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Watch Sawfish at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

Freshwater Sawfish

Freshwater sawfish live in shallow waters around river mouths and freshwater systems, moving between freshwater and saltwater. They are related to sharks and stingrays, and can grow to over 6 metres in length! These distinctive animals have a long saw-like extension called a rostrum. Sawfish use their rostrum to find prey as their eyesight is poor. The sharply-toothed saw is swung at prey, stunning or killing small fish and prawns which it then devours.

IUCN Red List Conservation status: Critically endangered 

Eagle Ray in SEA LIFE Sydney

Ocellated Eagle Ray

The Ocellated Eagle ray can be found worldwide in mostly tropical but occasionally subtropical waters. Eagle rays flap their fins as they manoeuvre across the ocean, and appear to ‘fly’ across the water, thus their name. Other ray species, such as smooth stingrays, move their whole bodies in a wave motion. The White-Spotted Eagle ray can grow up to 8.8 metres in length including the tail and up to 3.5 metres wide. They are easily recognised by the distinct white spots on the top side of the body.

IUCN Red List Conservation status: Vulnerable

Smoothray

Smooth Stingray

The Smooth Stingray also known as the short-tail stingray, is our largest species of ray here at SEA LIFE Sydney and in the whole of Australia! These rays can get up to 4.3 m in length, with their discs at around 2 m in width and weigh up to 350 kg. You can find our adorable smooth ray, Big Mouth, in our shark valley zone. 

IUCN Red List Conservation status: Least concern 

Shovelnose1

Giant Shovelnose Ray

The Giant Shovelnose ray is easily identified by its triangular shaped snout which bears a resemblance to a shovel. Adults can grow up to 2.7 metres in length and its spine is lined with enlarged denticles and thorns. Juveniles are usually found inshore while the adults can found trawling the deep shelf waters of the Indo-Pacific.

IUCN Red List Conservation status: Vulnerable 

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General Admission

Online From
$51
Per Adult
Up To
$56
Per Adult
1 Day Entry

2 Attraction Pass

Online From
$68
Per Adult
When Bought Separately
$99
Per Adult
Save over 30%

3 Attraction Pass

Online From
$75
Per Adult
When Bought Separately
$147
Per Adult
Save over 45%
Eagle Ray in SEA LIFE Sydney

Stingray facts and species

Meet some of our ray keepers here at SEA LIFE Sydney and discover some more interesting facts about the species we have here in Darling Harbour!

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