Himantura fluviatilis

The Ganges stingray has a very thin, oval pectoral fin disc slightly wider than long, with broadly rounded lateral margins. The snout tapers to a narrow point and projects considerably beyond the disc, measuring over twice as long as the distance between the eyes, which are very small. The tail is whip-like, lacks fin folds, and is less than twice as long as the disc. The entire upper surface, except for the pelvic fins, is covered by dermal denticles that become larger on the head. Some of the denticles on the posterior half of the body are also enlarged, and bear sharp spines. Large areas of the underside are covered by minute denticles. The coloration is a plain purplish grey above, becoming darker towards the disc margins, and light below with broad, irregular dark bands bordering the lateral margins. This is a large species, reaching a width of at least 1.4 m (4.6 ft).

Hamilton noted that the Ganges stingray was common in the Ganges River system from the estuary to the area around Kanpur, some 1,600 km (1,000 mi) from the furthest extent of the tide. Later authors have also reported it from shallow bays in Bay of Bengal, and at a depth of 37–55 m (120–180 ft) near Madras. This ray is likely completely isolated from other populations of freshwater stingrays in various parts of Southeast Asia.

Virtually nothing is known of the natural history of the Ganges stingray. It is presumably aplacental viviparous like other members of its order.