noun
Japanese butterfly ray
A species of ray (Gymnura japonica) found in Japanese waters. Typically written in katakana as ツバクロエイ.
ツバクロエイは浅い海の砂地に生息している。
The Japanese butterfly ray inhabits sandy bottoms in shallow seas.
The name likely derives from つばくろ (swallow) + えい (ray), referring to the wing-like shape reminiscent of a swallow's flight. The exact origin is uncertain.