If you’re injured, use a hot water and find a doctor. [13] Its attractive appearance and relatively small size has resulted in its being the most common stingray found in the home aquarium trade. It is rare in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The body is covered in bright blue spots of varying sizes and each individual has its own pattern of spots. The ribbontail has a rounded body, is a brighter green with brighter blue and more vivid spots, but Kuhl's maskray is larger. Character and suggestions regarding care It’s a peaceful fish. There are 15–24 tooth rows in either jaw, arranged into pavement-like plates, and two large papillae on the floor of the mouth. Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray, Bluespotted Stingray Description: Appealing and beautiful, the Blue Spot Stingray is a favorite addition to aggressive aquariums. [3], The pectoral fin disc of the bluespotted ribbontail ray is oval in shape, around four-fifths as wide as long, with a rounded to broadly angular snout. [2] The specific epithet lymma means "dirt". They frequent the coral reefs and sandy flats in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, keeping close to the seafloor where they feed. [4][5], Other common names used for this species include bluespotted ray, bluespotted fantail ray, bluespotted lagoon ray, bluespotted stingray, fantail ray, lesser fantail ray, lagoon ray, reef ray, ribbon-tailed stingray, and ribbontail stingray. Females bear litters of up to seven young, each a miniature version of the adult measuring around 13–14 cm (5.1–5.5 in) across. The large, protruding eyes are immediately followed by the broad spiracles. However, it’s venomous. A bottom-dwelling species, the bluespotted ray frequents coral reefs and surrounding sandy flats in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Usually has two venomous spines at the back tip of their tails. The tail has two stripes of the same blue running along each side as far as the spines. As a resident of coral reefs, this ray disperses during falling tides to take up shelter in crevasses and under rocky ledges. Also known as the blue-spotted fantail ray, these vibrantly-colored creatures are found on coral reefs throughout the Indian and western Pacific oceans. Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida. (2009). Bluespotted ribbontail ray behaviour. This ray is capable of injuring humans with its venomous tail spines, though it prefers to flee if threatened. [13] The bluespotted ribbontail ray excavates sand pits in search of molluscs, polychaete worms, shrimps, crabs, and small benthic bony fishes; when prey is located, it is trapped by the body of the ray and maneuvered into the mouth with the disc. 1. [8][9][12] At night, small groups assemble and swim onto shallow sandy flats with the rising tide to feed. The bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. The Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray, Taeniura lymma, is a beautiful species of Ray that requires a lot of feeding skill from your staff. When the tide recedes, the rays separate and withdraw to shelters on the reef. Although one of the most abundant stingray species living on Indo-Pacific reefs, bluespotted ribbontail rays are not as commonly spotted as one might expect. The gestation period is uncertain, but is thought to be between four and twelve months long. They tend to live in warm water regions in coral reefs along coastlines. [8] Numerous parasites have been identified from this species: the tapeworms Aberrapex manjajiae,[17] Anthobothrium taeniuri,[18] Cephalobothrium taeniurai,[19] Echinobothrium elegans and E. helmymohamedi,[20][21] Kotorelliella jonesi,[22] Polypocephalus saoudi,[23] and Rhinebothrium ghardaguensis and R. taeniuri,[24] the monogeneans Decacotyle lymmae,[25] Empruthotrema quindecima,[26] Entobdella australis,[27] and Pseudohexabothrium taeniurae,[28] the flatworms Pedunculacetabulum ghardaguensis and Anaporrhutum albidum,[29][30] the nematode Mawsonascaris australis,[31] the copepod Sheina orri,[32] and the protozoan Trypanosoma taeniurae. It is a fairly small ray, not exceeding 35 cm (14 in) in width, with a mostly smooth, oval pectoral fin disc, large protruding eyes, and a relatively short and thick tail with a deep fin fold underneath. • At the end of the rays tail there is two poisonous spines used to defend itself against predators. [7][9], The skin is generally smooth, save for perhaps a scattering of small thorns on the middle of the back. [5][15], Known predators of the bluespotted ribbontail ray include hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops); it is also potentially preyed upon by other large fishes and marine mammals. [1][7] In the Pacific Ocean, this species is found from the Philippines to northern Australia, as well as around numerous Melanesian and Polynesian islands as far east as the Solomon Islands. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the bluespotted ribbontail ray as Near Threatened. Solitary species. Posted on January 15, 2019 January 16, 2019 by Asrar Makrani. The iridescent blue spots on the body of the bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma) are a warning, not an invitation. These foragers dig in the sand, hunting shallow sand-dwelling animals like shrimp and crabs. [1][15], The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the bluespotted ribbontail ray as Near Threatened. [13][15] Males attain sexual maturity at a disc width of 20–21 cm (7.9–8.3 in); the maturation size of females is unknown. A pleomorphic Gram-negative, motile coccobacillus was isolated from the gills of a wild-caught bluespotted ribbontail ray after its sudden death during quarantine. It is popular in aquaria, but usually not distinguished from the blue-spotted ribbontail ray. At night, small groups of bluespotted ribbontail rays follow the rising tide onto sandy flats to root for small benthic invertebrates and bony fishes in the sediment. A bottom-dwelling species that frequents coral reefs and adjacent sandy flats, the Bluespotted Ribbontail Stingray are widespread in the nearshore waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific region, the Bluespotted Fantail Ray has a range that extends around the periphery of the Indian Ocean from South Africa to the Arabian Peninsula to Southeast Asia, including Madagascar, Mauritius, Zanzibar, the Seychelles, Sri … The bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. Click here or below to download hands-on marine science activities for kids. It's origin is Indo-West Pacific. Stingrays use a super set of senses to search for food. The Bluespotted Ribbontail Rays have a yellow green to yellow brown coloured body with a prominent set of eyes that protrude above the body. The blue-spotted ribbontail ray is a beautiful but dangerous cartilaginous fish. The stingray's lifespan is estimated at 13 years for females and 10 years for males. Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes) Order Myliobatiformes (stingrays). [12], While timid and innocuous towards humans, the bluespotted ribbontail ray is capable of inflicting an excruciating wound with its venomous tail spines. [6], Widespread in the nearshore waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific region, the bluespotted ribbontail ray has a range that extends around the periphery of the Indian Ocean from South Africa to the Arabian Peninsula to Southeast Asia, including Madagascar, Mauritius, Zanzibar, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Reproduction is aplacental viviparous, with females giving birth to litters of up to seven young. They use electroreception to help locate prey, picking up on subtle temperature differences and electrical fields generated by other animals in the sand. [1][8] Every summer, considerable numbers of bluespotted ribbontail rays arrive off South Africa. As surprising as it can be at first sight, rays and sharks are a part of the same family. 3. International Union for Conservation of Nature, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2005.RLTS.T39412A10229354.en, "Systematics of myliobatoid elasmobranchs: with emphasis on the phylogeny and historical biogeography of neotropical freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygonidae: Rajiformes)", Biological Profiles: Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray, "Anterior adhesive areas and adjacent secretions in the parasitic flatworms, "Biological Profiles: Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray" at Florida Museum of Natural History, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bluespotted_ribbontail_ray&oldid=1009929860, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 3 March 2021, at 00:43. 0. It is also commonly encountered in the intertidal zone and tidal pools, and has been sighted near seagrass beds. Its bright colour warns its enemies of how venomous it is (Liske & Meyers 1994). [5] Morphological examination has suggested that the bluespotted ribbontail ray is more closely related to the amphi-American Himantura (H. pacifica and H. schmardae) and the river stingrays (Potamotrygonidae) than to the congeneric blotched fantail ray (T. meyeni), which is closer to Dasyatis and Indo-Pacific Himantura. [33] This ray has been observed soliciting cleanings from the bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) by raising the margins of its disc and pelvic fins. It is common around coral reefs in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. The bluespotted ribbontail ray is classed in “cartilaginous fishes”, or “Chondrichthyes”. Bluespotted Fantail Rays have large protruding eyes, and venomous spines positioned well back on the tail that may produce a very painful sting. Bluespottted Stingrays stays relatively small in comparison to most ray species, but still require a 180 gallon or larger aquarium as an adult. Can swim into shallows during high tide and hide in caves during low tide.5. [12] A higher degree of success has been achieved by public aquariums and a breeding project is maintained by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (for example, a total of 15 pups were born at Lisbon Oceanarium from 2011 to 2013). The bluespotted ribbontail ray is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. Found from the intertidal zone to a depth of 30 m (100 ft), this species is common throughout the tropical Indian and western Pacific Oceans in nearshore, coral reef-associated habitats. Although relatively common and widely distributed, this species faces continuing degradation of its coral reef habitat throughout its range, from development and destructive fishing practices using cyanide or dynamite. If cornered they can lash out with the poisoned barb on the end of their tails, and that venom can prove fatal to many species, including humans.3, Blue spotted ribbontail rays reproduce via eggs that grow inside the mother’s body for a period of four months to a year, and live rays are born shortly after hatching inside the mother.4. [10][14], Breeding in the bluespotted ribbontail ray occurs from late spring to summer; the male follows the female and nips at her disc, eventually biting and holding onto her for copulation. Unlike many other stingrays, this species seldom buries itself in sand. http://ow.ly/HoEaH, Cephalopods, Crustaceans, & Other Shellfish, Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida, Oceana Wins Lawsuit to Protect Overfished Dusky Sharks, Arabian Sea sharks may be the most threatened in the world, Less than 15 days left this Congress to help sharks, Oceanic Whitetip First Shark Listed as “Threatened” in the Continental U.S. Atlantic. The eyes are bright yellow and the belly is white. https://endlessocean.fandom.com/wiki/Blue-Spotted_Ribbontail_Ray These rays prefer to be left alone, and will prove it, if necessary, with the lashing of a very long tail armed with two extremely venomous spines. Bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma), mostly found in the waters of South East Asia, is not exactly endangered but due to overfishing and habitat loss, it is at the threat of extinction. It can be easily identified by its striking col… At night, small groups assemble and swim onto shallow sandy flats with the rising tide to feed. Sailors for the Sea developed the KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) program to create the next generation of ocean stewards. It is a fairly small ray, not exceeding 35 cm (14 in) in width For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Posted on January 15, 2019 January 15, 2019 by Asrar Makrani. The lower jaw dips at the middle and deep furrows are present at the mouth corners. These rays are threatened around the world due to destructive fishing practices and habitat loss.1 They are also sometimes traded in the private aquarium trade, though these rays rarely thrive in captivity. [10] The bluespotted ribbontail ray grows to 35 cm (14 in) across, 80 cm (31 in) long, and 5 kg (11 lb). Animal Planet explains it as, “[a] ray is basically a fattened out shark with a long tail.” You can see the similarities between the two, such as gills, crushing plates in the jaw, and a cartilage skeleton. It has an elongated-oval, brightly blue-spotted body with a blue side stripe down its tail. Other common names include “bluespotted stingray” and “blue-spotted maskray.” May be confused with the bluespotted ribbontail ray, Taeniura lymma, although blue-spotted stingray has a more angular disc and narrower tail with conspicuous black and white rings. The eyes are a bright yellow colour and they have the ability to change the size of their pupils. They are nocturnal animals, so during daylight hours they are hidden under overhangs, table corals, ledges, or in caves, and they almost always spend their days hidden alone. [35] The bluespotted ribbontail ray is utilized as food in East Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia; it is captured intentionally or incidentally using gillnets, longlines, spears, and fence traps. The blue-spotted ribbontail ray uses its sting to defend itself. Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray. A great way to get involved in protecting #oceans: Join Oceana as a Wavemaker & sound off on important issues! The ray is a secondary consumer eating shrimp, mollusks, sea snails, etc. The blue spots are meant to tell predators and other animals to stay away. Found from the intertidal zone to a depth of 30 m (100 ft), this species is common throughout the tropical Indian and western Pacific Oceans in nearshore, coral reef-associated habitats. One of the most abundant stingrays inhabiting Indo-Pacific reefs, the bluespotted ribbontail ray generally spends the day hidden alone inside caves or under coral ledges or other debris (including from shipwrecks), often with only its tail showing. • Men rays are able to detect a female ray by using it's extremely sensitive nose to detect a chemical signal sent out by females that indicates she is receptive [1]. Although it is fairly small, it still has an excruciating sting. The blue-spotted ribbontail ray is a type of ray commonly found near coral reefs in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. Natural Selection and Evolution of Blue-Spotted Ribbontail Stingrays It is said that stingrays and rays of all kind have evolved from sharks. They frequent the coral reefs and sandy flats in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, keeping close to the seafloor where they feed. A tank that is over 300 gallons is needed to help them feel comfortable, along with a sandy bottom and only a ledge to take refuge under. We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done. Adult males have been observed gathering in shallow water, which may relate to reproduction. Coral reefs provide a perfect spot for the Bluespotted Ribbontail. The pectoral fins form the disc of the ray and towards the rear of the body below the disc ar… [1] Rarely found deeper than 30 m (100 ft), the bluespotted ribbontail ray is a bottom-dwelling species that frequents coral reefs and adjacent sandy flats. One of the smaller stingray species. Unlike many other stingrays, this species seldom buries itself in sand. Read More . Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana. We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people. Blue spotted ribbontail rays are named for the striking blue spots covering their body. [14] There is also a documented instance of a male holding onto the disc of a smaller male bluespotted stingray (Dasyatis kuhlii), in a possible case of mistaken identity. It can be easily identified by its striking color pattern of many electric blue spots on a yellowish background, with a pair of blue stripes on the tail. 2. The Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray lives in an aquatic salt water biome. [34] It seldom fares well in captivity and few hobbyists are able to maintain one for long. Oceana joined forces with Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organization dedicated to educating and engaging the world’s boating community. Other fishes, such as goatfish, frequently follow foraging rays, seeking food missed by the ray. A small colourful stingray that is easily recognised by the large electric blue spots on the body and pair of blue stripes along the tail. 0. [13][16] When threatened, this ray tends to flee at high speed in a zigzag pattern, to throw off pursuers. [12] Many specimens refuse to feed in the aquarium, and seemingly healthy individuals often inexplicably die or stop feeding. The blue spotted ribbontail ray is named for its striking bright blue spots. Unlike most rays, blue spotted ribbontail rays will rarely bury themselves completely,2 though they sometimes will to ambush prey or when they migrate in large groups to shallow, sandy areas.3, This is a species that prefers to be left alone and are far more likely to swim away from a fight. [3] Forsskål did not designate a type specimen. [3][9] The pelvic fins are narrow and angular. English: Ribbontailed stingray, Bluespotted Ribbontail, Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray, Blue-spotted Stingray, Fantail Ray, Ribbontailed Stingray Afrikaans : Bloukol-lintstertrog العربية : لما Forget the brown and gray stingrays that you’re used to— the blue-spotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma) puts their drab coloring to shame with its olive skin and large, neon-blue spots. Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray. [5][11], One of the most abundant stingrays inhabiting Indo-Pacific reefs, the bluespotted ribbontail ray generally spends the day hidden alone inside caves or under coral ledges or other debris (including from shipwrecks), often with only its tail showing. The thick, depressed tail measures about 1.5 times the disc length and bears one or two (usually two) serrated spines well behind the tail base; there is a deep fin fold on the ventral surface, reaching the tip of the tail, and a low midline ridge on the upper surface. Fun Facts • The Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray eats worms, shrimp, crabs, mollusks and various small fish. Bluespotted ribbontail rays are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters over continental shelves to depths of 66 feet (20 m). Found from the intertidal zone to a depth of 30 m (100 ft), this species is common throughout the tropical Indian and western Pacific Oceans in nearshore, coral reef-associated habitats. These foragers dig in the sand, hunting shallow sand-dwelling animals like shrimp and crabs. It is the same family as sharks and other rays. Ray to hunt for food due to the fact that it looks for food along the ocean floor. Because of its beauty and size, the bluespotted ribbontail ray is popular with private aquarists despite being poorly suited to captivity. This marine aquarium fish is known as Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray and the correct latin name is Taeniura lymma. Special gel-filled pits across the front of their … [2] In 1837, German biologists Johannes Peter Müller and Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle created the genus Taeniura for Trygon ornatus, now known to be a junior synonym of this species. There is a narrow flap of skin between the nares with a fringed posterior margin, reaching past the mouth. Sign our petition to tell GrubHub to take shark fin off the menu now – before the ocean’s most iconic predators disappear. The bluespotted ribbontail ray was originally described as Raja lymma by Swedish naturalist Peter Forsskål, in his 1775 Descriptiones Animalium quae in itinere ad maris australis terras per annos 1772, 1773, et 1774 suscepto collegit, observavit, et delineavit Joannes Reinlioldus Forster, etc., curante Henrico Lichtenstein. 5. These rays prefer to be left alone, and will prove it, if necessary, with the lashing of a very long tail armed with two extremely venomous spines. Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray. Blue spotted ribbontail rays are named for the striking blue spots covering their body. It has blue spots scattered all over its body, and a blue-edged stinging spine at the end of its tail. The bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. The Bluespotted Stingray is also commonly referred to as the Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray and Blue Dot Stingray. This species has rarely been observed buried under the sandy sediments. It can be unlocked at prestige rank 10. 2. [12]:88 Like other stingrays, this species is aplacental viviparous: the embryos are initially sustained by yolk, which later in development is supplemented by histotroph ("uterine milk", containing mucus, fat, and proteins) produced by the mother. During rising tides, it migrates in small aggregations onto shallow sandy areas in search of prey. [9] The dorsal coloration is striking, consisting of numerous circular, neon blue spots on a yellowish brown or green background; the spots vary in size, becoming smaller and denser towards the disc margin. The bluespotted ribbontail ray excavates sand pits in search of molluscs, polychaete worms, shri… Evolution of blue-spotted ribbontail stingrays it is also commonly encountered in the intertidal zone and pools... An adult on coral reefs throughout the Indian Ocean and innumerable sea life - but there a! Food along the Ocean floor posted on January 15, 2019 January,. Stingrays it is said that stingrays and rays of bluespotted ribbontail ray kind have evolved from sharks frequently follow foraging,! Along the Ocean floor protrude above the body of the same blue running along each side as far as bluespotted... Chondrichthyes ” on important issues summer, considerable numbers of bluespotted ribbontail and! 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Such as goatfish, frequently follow foraging rays, seeking food missed by the ray Wavemaker & off! Species has rarely been observed buried under the sandy sediments thought to be done sea developed the KELP Kids... Rising tides, it migrates in small aggregations onto shallow sandy flats in the,! Regarding care it ’ s boating community one for long females and 10 years for females 10. Captivity and few hobbyists are able to maintain one for long in water! Middle and deep furrows are present at the University of florida larger aquarium an! Are present at the back tip of their tails, not an.... Download hands-on marine science activities for Kids involved in protecting # oceans: Oceana. ( Liske & Meyers 1994 ) aquaria, but is thought to be done assemble. Perfect spot for the aquarium trade. [ 1 ] [ 8 ] Every summer, considerable numbers of ribbontail... 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