Description
The butterfly stingaree has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc 113–121% as wide as long, with broadly rounded outer corners. The snout forms an obtuse angle and has a protruding tip. The eyes are modest in size and immediately followed by teardrop-shaped spiracles. Between the nostrils is a large, skirt-shaped curtain of skin with a subtly fringed trailing margin. The mouth is moderately large and contains 10–13 papillae (nipple-shaped structures) in an row across the floor. There are 24–28 upper and 26–31 lower tooth rows. The five pairs of gill slits are short. The pelvic fins are small and rounded; males have slightly pointed claspers.
The tail is flattened at the base and tapers rapidly, measuring 63–70% as long as the disc. There is a serrated stinging spine placed atop the tail about midway along its length, which is preceded by a low dorsal fin. The tail may also have slight ridge of skin running along each side, and terminates in a very short, deep, leaf-shaped caudal fin. The skin entirely lacks dermal denticles. This species is yellowish to brownish above; the underside is white to cream, with a wide darker band along the lateral and posterior disc margins. The dorsal and caudal fins are dusky-edged, which is more obvious in juveniles. The butterfly stingaree grows to at least 40 cm (16 in) long.
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