The longheaded eagle ray, like other members of the genus Aetobatus, is characteristically different from other genera of eagle rays, distinguished by their notched nasal curtain; complete, singular set of upper and lower teeth; and v-shaped teeth in the lower jaw.

Longheaded eagle rays have a diamond-shaped disc with relatively large, narrowly triangular pectoral fins that round near the rear tips.

The tail of the longheaded eagle ray is one of their distinguishing features, measuring up to three times their body length, tapering from base to spine.

Due to the over-exploitation of other fish and marine organisms in coastal habitats, longheaded eagle rays are classified as endangered on the IUCN red list.

Commercial fisheries that net and trawl in these habitats will often inadvertently catch longheaded eagle rays but will seldom release them back into their environment.

[2] Additionally, because longheaded eagle rays are so common in estuarine habitats, they are particularly susceptible to the anthropogenic pollutants - toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and pathogens - that accumulate there as a result of discarded by-products of civilization.

Estuaries are also subject to large-scale construction activities like damming, dredging, filling, and draining, resulting in direct and immediate habitat loss.