Measuring no more than 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) across, this species is characterized by its diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc wider than long, completely smooth skin, dorsal coloration of dark irregular spots on a yellowish gray-brown background, and ventral coloration of more spots on a white background with yellowish margins.

The large, protruding eyes are immediately followed by a pair of equal-sized or slightly smaller, elliptical spiracles.

[1] Although generally innocuous towards humans, fishery workers have been injured by the venomous tail spine of the Yantai stingray.

Envenomation by this species causes intense pain and edema, can lead to weakness, nausea, arrhythmia, paresthesia, and convulsions, and may even be fatal.

In Japan, where it is often mistaken for the red stingray (D. akajei), its small size typically results in captured individuals being discarded.

[1] The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Yantai stingray as vulnerable, as with its slow reproductive rate its population is unlikely to withstand the intense fishing pressure present throughout both the Yellow and East China Seas.