Similar to Himantura leoparda but disc suboval with broadly rounded apices; central disc with a large pearl-shaped yellowish thorn followed by 2–3 slightly smaller similar thorns in adults (1st of these usually white), no other enlarged thorns extending along midline of disc and tail. Body colour dorsal surface of large adults with a dense pattern of large dark, thick-lined rings and reticulations; young with large dusky spots and blotches that coalesce to form reticulations during growth; ventral surface almost entirely white.