Bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Taeniura lymma
- Common name
- Bluespotted ribbontail ray
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Dasyatidae
- Genus
- Taeniura
- Size
- 30–70 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Caution
- Habitats
- reef, sand
- Behaviours
- solitary, benthic
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Taeniura lymma reaches 70 cm. Small ray with an oval yellow-orange disc dotted with characteristic electric-blue spots, longitudinal blue line on the tail bearing a venomous barb. One of the most photogenic and iconic rays of Indo-Pacific reefs. Often seen under overhangs or resting on sand between corals. IUCN Vulnerable. From the Red Sea to Australia. Do not approach the tail.
Photo of Bluespotted ribbontail ray
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Bluespotted ribbontail ray?
- Bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma) reaches 30–70 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Bluespotted ribbontail ray?
- Bluespotted ribbontail ray is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Bluespotted ribbontail ray dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Caution.
- What is the conservation status of the Bluespotted ribbontail ray?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Bluespotted ribbontail ray?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Taeniura
Other species in the family Dasyatidae
- Hypanus americanus - Southern stingray
- Pastinachus sephen - Cowtail Stingray
- Himantura uarnak - Honeycomb Stingray
- Dasyatis pastinaca - Common Stingray
- Neotrygon kuhlii - Blue-Spotted Stingray
- Taeniurops meyeni - Round ribbontail ray
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 217422)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5215810)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia