Biology and Ecology
The plain maskray generally hunts at the surface of the bottom substrate, rather than digging for prey. Its diet consists predominantly of caridean shrimp and polychaete worms. Small bony fishes are also eaten, along with the occasional penaeid prawn or amphipod. Larger rays consume a greater variety of prey and relatively more polychaete worms when compared to smaller rays. This species is parasitized by the tapeworm Acanthobothrium jonesi.
Like other stingrays, the plain maskray is viviparous with the developing embryos sustained to term by histotroph ("uterine milk") produced by the mother. Mature females have a single functional ovary and uterus, on the left. Litter size is one or two; the newborns measure 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) across. Males and females reach sexual maturity at disc widths of 20–21 cm (7.9–8.3 in) and 18–19 cm (7.1–7.5 in) respectively. The maximum lifespan is estimated to be 9 years for males and 13 years for females.
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