Species: Tetronarce occidentalis, Western Atlantic Torpedo

Tetronarce occidentalis (Storer, 1843)

Western Atlantic Torpedo

Disc circular, smooth, broad, front ~straight, thick at front and center, relatively soft and fleshy, thinner on and behind sides; snout very short (7.1-7.5% TL before eyes); eyes and spiracles very small, with smooth edges (no papillae); two large, kidney shaped electric organs on sides of head; mouth moderate sized, with longitudinal grooves at sides, lips not cartilaginous and tubular; pectorals very thick at edges; tail thick, blending into trunk, shorter than disc; two dorsal fins, first larger, base of first dorsal extends to rear past base of pelvic fin; tail fin large, triangular; skin smooth and spineless.

Upper body dark brown to purplish brown;; lower surface white, with darker disc edges.

Reaches 154 cm; 60 Kg.

Benthic on soft and mud bottoms; adults may be pelagic or semi-pelagic.

Depth range: 0-540 m, normally at about 50-100 m.

West Atlantic; Nova Scotia to the Amazon.