The black blotched fantail ray is found in the Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan, Micronesia and tropical Australia. It occurs on or near coral reefs in a variety of habitats, usually at depths less than about 200 feet.

This is a large ray with a distinctive black and white mottled coloration on its upper surface and a light colored underbody. It can reach almost 10 feet in disc width and weigh 330 lbs.

Look for this large, dark-colored ray swimming in the Ocean Voyager gallery.

• The female black blotched fantail ray gives birth to live young.
• The young are about 13 inches in width when born.
• This ray blows water out of its mouth to stir up bottom sediment to reveal its prey.
• It feeds on bivalves, crabs and shrimp, as well as bottom fishes.
• Commercial fishermen capture this ray for its meat and cartilage.

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