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Blue Spotted Ribbontail Ray

Taeniura lymma
A bluespotted ribbontail ray swimming in a coral reef

Blue Spotted Ribbontail Ray

Taeniura lymma
Other Common Names
Bluespotted Lagoon Ray, Bluespotted Fantail Ray
At the Aquarium
Connected Coasts
Other Common Names
Bluespotted Lagoon Ray, Bluespotted Fantail Ray

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

The blue spotted ribbontail ray’s rounded body is beige, greenish-brown or sometimes orange in color. It has a pattern of bright blue spots over its body. This species has 1 to 2 venomous spines on its long, whip-like tail. Their bright blue spots and venomous spines protect them from predators.

The blue spotted ribbontail ray has yellow eyes and above each eye is a breathing hole called a spiracle.

The blue spotted ribbontail ray has a disc width of at least 30 cm and can grow up to 70 cm in total length.

Habitat

Coral reefs and sandy flats to a depth of 50m.

Diet

Worms, molluscs, crustaceans and cephalopods

Life History

The blue spotted ribbontail ray is viviparous, meaning their offspring develop inside the body and females give birth to live young. Little else is known about this species’ life history, including their lifespan. More research is needed.

Adults are found in cooler, deeper reef environments while juveniles are found in warm, shallow intertidal seagrass, mangrove forests or rocky shoreline habitats. In these nursery habitats, the young rays are able to avoid larger predatory fishes like sharks and groupers.

During the daytime, it hides in shallow places under overhangs or in caves. The blue spotted ribbontail ray only moves around in the evening or at night.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Blue spotted ribbontail rays are used as a food source throughout most of its range. The blue spotted ribbontail ray is used fresh or salted and dried. This is an important local food source for Bajau Laut, a group of Indigenous People in Indonesia and Malaysia.

The blue spotted ribbontail ray is the apex predator in benthic habitats across their range, helping regulate prey populations and balancing ecosystems.

They play an important ecological role as bioturbators, also known as ecosystem engineers. They move around sediment on the seafloor which helps cycle nutrients and increases the productivity of microorganisms.

Rays are also considered bioindicators, meaning that their presence can indicate the health and functionality of their habitat. This is especially important for coral reef ecosystems, as they are one of the most threatened ecosystems.
Range
Widespread throughout the Indo-West Pacific from South Africa to Papua New Guinea.
On the Oregon Coast
This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.
Fun Facts
Blue spotted ribbontail rays use electroreception to help locate prey, avoid predators, navigate and communicate. Electroreception is the ability to pick up subtle temperature differences and electrical fields generated by other animals.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Sherman, C.S., C. Simpfendorfer, A. Bin Ali, D. Derrick, Dharmadi, Fahmi, D. Fernando, A.B. Haque, A. Maung, L. Seyha, D. Tanay, J.A.T. Utzurrum, V.Q. Vo, & R.R. Yuneni. 2021. Taeniura lymma. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021.
  • Allen, G. R. 2013. Field Guide to Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia. Western Australian Museum, Sydney, AUSTRALIA.
  • Dabruzzi, T. F., W. A. Bennett, J. L. Rummer, and N. A. Fangue. 2013. Juvenile Ribbontail Stingray, Taeniura lymma (Forsskål, 1775) (Chondrichthyes, Dasyatidae), demonstrate a unique suite of physiological adaptations to survive hyperthermic nursery conditions. Hydrobiologia 701:37–49.
  • Kempster, R. M., E. Garza-Gisholt, C. A. Egeberg, N. S. Hart, O. R. O’Shea, and S. P. Collin. 2013. Sexual Dimorphism of the Electrosensory System: A Quantitative Analysis of Nerve Axons in the Dorsal Anterior Lateral Line Nerve of the Blue-Spotted Fantail Stingray (Taeniura lymma). Brain, behavior and evolution 81:226–235.
  • Kuiter, R. H. 1997. Guide to sea fishes of Australia. New Holland, Frenchs Forest, Australia.
  • Levy, A., A. Barash, C. Zaguri, A. Hadad, and P. Polsky. 2024. Improving deep learning based bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura Lymma) recognition. Ecological informatics 82:102737.
  • Taquet, M., and A. Diringer. 2013. Fishes of the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Quae, Versailles, France.
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Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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