Ribbontail stingray
📖 Overview
Occurs around coral reefs . Migrates in groups into shallow sandy areas during the rising tide to feed on mollusks, worms, shrimps, and crabs; disperses on falling tide to seek shelter in caves and under ledges . Rarely found buried under the sand . Ovoviviparous . Small specimens are popular among marine aquarists . Does not do well in aquariums . Maximum length about 70 cm TL . Reports of specimens reaching 240 cm TL are probably inaccurate . Commonly caught by fisheries operating over shallow coral reefs and probably adversely affected by dynamite fishing. Utilized widely for its meat. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
A colorful stingray with large bright blue spots on an oval, elongated disc and with blue side-stripes along the tail; snout rounded and angular, disc with broadly rounded outer corners, and tail stout, tapering and less than twice body length when intact, with a broad lower caudal finfold reaching the tail tip; disc with no large thorns but with small, flat denticles along midback (in adults); usually 1 medium-sized sting on tail further behind base than in most stingrays . Grey-brown to yellow, olive-green or reddish brown dorsally, white ventrally .: other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Ribbontail stingray is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Ribbontail stingray is currently being compiled.
🥚 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 . Distinct pairing with embrace . Bears up to 7 young .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 20 m . Tropical; 32°N - 30°S, 32°E - 177°W West Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
mollusks, worms, shrimps, and crabs; disperses on falling tide to seek shelter in caves and under le
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Ribbontail stingray 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
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 82 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Ribbontail stingray has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blue-spotted Fantail Ray · Blue-spotted Lagoon Ray · Blue-spotted Ray · Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray · Blue-spotted Stingray · Bluespotted Fantail Ray · Bluespotted Ray · Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray · Bluespotted Stingray · Bluespotted ribbontail ray, Ribbontail stingray · Fantail Ray · Lagoon Ray · Lesser Fantail Ray · Reef ray · reef stingray · ribbontail stingray · Bluespotted Lagoon Ray · Bluespotted Ribbontail · Ribbontailed Stingray |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | شفنين مروحي الذيل أزرق النقاط · لما |
| 🌍CES | trnucha modroskvrnná |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Blåplettet pigrokke |
| 🇩🇪German | Blauflecken-Stechrochen · Blaupunktrochen |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | täpläkeihäsrausku |
| 🇫🇷French | Pastenague queue à ruban, Pastenague à taches bleues · Raie pastenague à points bleus · Raie pastenague à taches bleues |
| 🌍HEB | מחבטן הספירים |
| 🇭🇺Hungarian | kékpettyes tüskésrája |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pastinaca a macchie blu · Trigone a macchie blu |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | アオマダラエイ |
| 🌍MSA | Pari lalat |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Blauwgespikkelde Pijlstaartrog |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Patelnica Niebieskoplama |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Raia de pintas azuis |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Тэниура-лимма |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | raya de arrecife |
| 🌍THA | ปลากระเบนทอง |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 藍斑條尾魟 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raja lymma | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Taeniura lymna | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Trygon ornatus | Gray | 1830 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 26 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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