Zonetail butterfly ray
📖 Overview
Demersal inshore, in shallow depths to at least 37 m. Also found offshore . Ovoviviparous . Smallest individual was 27 cm WD. Caught often by demersal trawl, trammel and gillnet fisheries, and occasionally using tangle nets. Utilized for its meat, but of limited value due to its typically small size.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Zonetail butterfly ray is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Zonetail butterfly ray is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Zonetail butterfly rays have been found to feed primarily on bony fish, particularly anchovies and ponyfishes. Their inferior mouth type and co-occurrence with longtail butterfly rays indicate that they may also feed on benthic crustaceans and molluscs, but there is currently limited observed data on this for G. zonura. In general, Gymnuridae are piscivorous, feeding on both mesopelagic and benthic fish species. Their ability to swim through multiple levels of the water column likely contributes to this range in diet. The particular feeding habits of the Zonetail butterfly ray, outside of general Gymnuridae family trends, remain generally understudied.
🥚 Reproduction
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures . Distinct pairing with embrace .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 28 - 37 m . Tropical Central Pacific: India to Indonesia, including Singapore and Thailand.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Zonetail butterfly ray is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Zonetail butterfly ray is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Zonetail butterfly ray has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aetoplatea zonura | Bleeker | 1852 | Synonym |
| Pteroplatea zonura | Bleeker | 1852 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for Zonetail butterfly ray ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.