Bluespotted Stingray

The Blue-spotted Stingray is one of the smallest species of rays, but its beautiful blue spots on its dorsal side make it unique and attractive.

It is a fish whose head and pectoral fins are fused to the rest of its body. Its dorsal side is ochre with regularly arranged oval or round light blue spots; its ventral side is white. Its mouth and nostrils can be seen. Its dorsal side bears its eyes, high up on its head, as well as its respiratory holes. It is also characterised by a long whip-like tail that is longer than its body. This has venomous spines at its base that can produce a painful or even fatal sting.

Indo-Pacific Area.

These rays live around coral reefs.

The Blue-spotted Ray swims slowly, undulating its pectoral fins.  It swims in groups towards shallow, sandy waters at rising tide in order to feed.

It is an ovoviviparous species, meaning the eggs hatch in the female's womb and continue to develop there until the 1-7 offspring are born.

Taeniura lymma hunts worms, small fish, shrimp and sometimes hermit crabs. This species very rarely buries itself in the sand to stalk its prey, unlike other ray species.

The threats to this species are intensive coastal fishing and reef destruction.