Like other stingrays, the red stingray has a flattened body and a long, whip-like tail bearing a strong, saw-edged stinging spine on the upper surface, used as a defensive weapon. Generally orange-brown above and white to pale pink below, with yellowish margins, the body and large pectoral fins form a flattened, diamond-shaped disc, with a moderate snout at the front and a pair of single-lobed pelvic fins at the back. Like other stingrays, this species lacks dorsal and caudal fins. The gills and mouth are located on the underside of the body, with the eyes situated on top, just in front of openings known as spiracles, through which the stingray can take in water whilst lying on the seabed. Water enters the spiracles and is passed out over the gill openings, bypassing the mouth.