Fishing limits

Size limit: Maximum size limit of 80 cm total length

Fishing zoneDaily bag limitDaily boat limit
Spencer Gulf26
Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island13
All other waters26

Species with combined daily fishing limits

Learn about the rules and handling guidelines for fishing for sharks and rays.


Identification

Southern Fiddler Rays have:

  • a slightly pointed snout
  • an oval-like disc shaped body
  • a white to cream underside
  • small, reduced bony spines on the dorsal side of tail that are not harmful (no poisonous barbs)
  • 2 dorsal fins on tail, similar in size to upper lobe of tail.

They have 2 colour morphs:

  • mustard yellow to brown colouration with a combination of creamy white stripes and spots
  • a rarer morph of blue-black to chocolate-brown with irregular white stripes or spots (formerly known as Magpie Fiddler).

Southern Fiddler Rays are born at 25 cm and grow to at least 1.5 m in length.


Habitat

This species lives in patchy seagrass, sand, and shallow reef habitats.

They can be found in shallow intertidal areas up to 200 m depths in:

  • both South Australian gulfs
  • saline rivers
  • mangrove habitats
  • continental shelf waters.