Round ribbontail ray
📖 Overview
Occurs in a wide range of habitats, from shallow lagoons to outer reef slopes . Feeds on bottom fish, bivalves, crabs and shrimp . Ovoviviparous . Smallest free-swimming specimen recorded was 33 cm WD. Caught commonly by demersal tangle net fisheries, and occasionally by longline and bottom trawl fisheries. Utilized for its meat and cartilage. Found singly or in aggregates and usually with jacks and cobia swimming near them . Not normally aggressive, but it has been responsible for at least one human fatality. Sought by surf and ski boat anglers in southern Africa, but usually released unharmed . Longevity record for a specimen in an aquarium is 81 days . May reach disc width in excess of 3 m .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
A large stingray with a circular disc, no thorns, a black and white mottled upper surface, and a deep and prominent ventral skin fold that extends to the tail tip .: other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Round ribbontail ray is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 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 . With up to 7 in a litter .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 500 m , usually 20 - 60 m . Tropical; 41°N - 36°S, 25°E - 77°W West Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
bottom fish, bivalves, crabs and shrimp (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- intense pain
- laceration
- oedema
- retained spine fragments possible
Wound care, imaging for retained spine, tetanus prophylaxis, antibiotic prophylaxis for marine wounds.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Round ribbontail 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 111 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Round ribbontail ray has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Black-blotched Stingray · Black-spotted Stingray · Blotched Fantail Ray · Blotched fantail ray, Round ribbontail ray · Blotched Stingray · Fantail Stingray · Giant Reef Ray · Marbled Ray · round ribbontail ray · Speckled Stingray |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | شفنين الحيد الكبير · شفنين شريطي الذيل المستدير |
| 🌍CES | trnucha indonéská |
| 🇩🇪German | Schwarzflecken-Stechrochen · Schwarzpunktrochen · Schwarztüpfel-Stechrochen |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | naamiokeihäsrausku |
| 🇫🇷French | Pastenague à taches noires · Pastenague Eventail · Raie à tache noire · Raie à taches noires · Raie marbrée |
| 🌍HEB | מחבטן עגול |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pastinaca a macchie nere · Trigone a macchie nere |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Madaraei · マダラエイ |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Gespikkelde waaierstaartpijlstaartrog |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Raia-de-manchas-pretas-de-recife |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Raya sartén |
| 🌍THA | ปลากระเบนตกกระ · ปลากระเบนหลังดำ |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 邁氏擬條尾魟 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dasyatis melanospilos | Bleeker | 1853 | Synonym |
| Taeniura melanospila | Bleeker | 1853 | Synonym |
| Taeniura melanospilos | Bleeker | 1853 | Synonym |
| Taeniura meyemi | Müller & Henle | 1841 | Synonym |
| Taeniura meyeni | Müller & Henle | 1841 | Synonym |
| Taeniura mortoni | Macleay | 1883 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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