-
Size
28 inches (70 cm) -
Diet
Crabs and shrimps and occasionally small fishes -
Range
Indo-Pacific -
Habitat
Deeper water on sandy bottoms near rocky or coral reefs
Physical Characteristics
- Body disc is flattened and slightly diamond-shaped, with a short, angular snout and tail as long as the body. Venomous spine on tail.
- Coloration is red-brown to yellow-brown with bright blue spots and small black spots on dorsal surface and a darker brown bar crossing over the eyes. Ventral surface is off-white. Clear black and white rings encircle the end of the tail.
- Maximum length of 28 inches (70 cm).
Animal Fact
Stingrays sting with a venomous spine at the base of the tail.
Diet / Feeding
- Diet primarily consists of crabs and shrimps and occasionally small fishes.
Range / Habitat
- Occurs in the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa and Tonga, north to Japan and south to Australia.
- Typically found in deeper water on sandy bottoms near rocky or coral reefs at depths to 558 feet (170 m).
Reproduction & Growth
- Ovoviviparous species. Embryo is nourished first by yolk and later by indirectly absorbing uterine fluid. Female gives live birth to a litter of one or two pups.
Conservation Status
- “Data Deficient” on the IUCN Red List.
- Commonly caught by bottom trawls, trammel nets and fish traps.
Additional Information
- Other common names include “bluespotted stingray” and “blue-spotted maskray.”
- May be confused with the bluespotted ribbontail ray, Taeniura lymma, although blue-spotted stingray has a more angular disc and narrower tail with conspicuous black and white rings.
- Solitary species. Occasionally covers body in sand with only the eyes and tail exposed.
- Not an aggressive species, although venomous spine may deliver a painful sting.
- Used for food, but is not a highly valued catch due to small body size.
