Species distinctions: Torpedo marmorata:
Weight: n/a
Body length: n/a
Power of discharge: up to 200.0 V
Life-span: n/a
Diet: crabs, crustaceans, fish, molluscs
Distinctive qualities: dorsal surface is yellowish-brown, ventral surface white with darker fringe; short tail with triangular fin at tip; electric organs on both sides of body.

The electric ray is also referred to as, "torpedo", member of a family of marine rays known as Torpendinidae, which possess a rounded shape with a short tail (except the Australian crampfish, which is nearly oval without a tail), soft skin, two spineless dorsal fins, and a pair of electric organs which may be used to shock in defense. Rays may be found in all tropical or temperate seas, generally near the coast but also 914.4 m (3000.0 ft) below surface, though never in large groups, but solitary, unlike other rays and skates. It does not swim for a large amount of the time, but prefers to remain stationary along the sea bottom in wait for prey to swim by. Offspring are born alive without the pectoral fins attached to the head, but as the rays develop, the fins grow forward and fuse with the sides of the head to produce a round body shape. However, it is possible for the fins not to fuse with the head and the ray remains abnormal, with notches at the sides of its head.

Historically, the electric ray is given credit as the first electric fish to be discovered, as it was the Greek’s comparison with elektron (amber) which, when rubbed with fur, produced static electricity, thus the term, "electric". The rays were often painted on pottery, used in medicine in Ancient Greece and Rome, where it would be used to cure gout, headaches, and other ailments: the ray would either be stood upon or applied to the human temple. However, the Greeks also believed the fish to be an ill omen if seen in a dream with other fish, as well as believing it to "drug" its prey since they could not conceive of its electrical properties.

Bioelectricity: 

The electric ray is known to be the most electro-sensitive of all zoological organisms and their eyes are situated on the top of their head, providing for poor vision which must be balanced by use of other senses, including the detection of electricity. Many species of rays and skates outside the family of the electric ray have electric organs located in the tail, however, the electric ray possesses two large electric organs on each side of its head, where current passes from the lower to the upper surface of the body. The organs are governed by four central nerves from each side of the electric lobe, or specialized brain lobe, which is of a different colour than the rest of the brain. The main nerves branch continuously then attach to the lower side of each plate in the batteries, which are composed of hexagonal columns, in honeycomb formation: each column consists of one hundred and forty to half a million gelatinous plates. In marine fish, these batteries are connected as a parallel circuit where freshwater batteries are found in series, transmitting discharges of higher voltage, as fresh water cannot conduct electricity as well as salt water. It is with such a battery that an average electric ray may electrocute a large fish with a current between 50.0 amps to 50.0 to 60.0 V, to even 200.0 V, which gives the effect of a hair dryer being dropped into a tub of water.

With the use of electric organs, the electric ray can catch prey by attacking them and wrapping their pectoral find around them, electrocuting their prey with current from the electric organs. Male rays also employ electricity in finding a female in order to mate: rays are able to see (or sense) the electrical auras of other rays, which distinguishes the two genders.