Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray

ID points

• Rings of vivid electric blue spots on a yellow-brown ground
• A blue stripe along each side of the tail
• Large bulging eyes, hardly ever buries in the sand

Basics

Family

Dasyatidae

Length

25–35 cm

Depth

1-30 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Shallow reef sand from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific

Habitat

Sand patches and ledges on coral reefs

Diet

Shrimp and crabs, small fish

Easily confused with

Ribbontail RayRound disc-shaped body with thin soft edgesStingrayFlat disc- or diamond-shaped body, lying buried in the sandEagle RayInky black back covered in white spots

Fun fact

The blue spotted ribbontail ray has a yellowish brown disc scattered with vivid electric blue spots, a strikingly high contrast pattern. Its tail spine carries venom, and a sting from it causes intense pain.