 The porcupine ray is widely distributed , but uncommon compared to other stingrays that share its range . It is found all along the continental periphery of the Indian Ocean , from South Africa to the Arabian Peninsula to Southeast Asia to Ningaloo Reef off western Australia , including Madagascar , the Seychelles , and Sri Lanka ; it has colonized the eastern Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal . In the Pacific Ocean , its range continues through Indonesia and New Guinea , north to the Philippines , east to the Gilbert Islands and Fiji , and south to Heron Island off eastern Australia . This species is also found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off Senegal , Guinea , and Côte d 'Ivoire . Bottom @-@ dwelling in nature , the porcupine ray is found close to shore at depths of 1 – 30 m ( 3 – 100 ft ) . It inhabits sandy flats , coral rubble , and seagrass beds , often near reefs , and also enters brackish water . 
