Blue Spotted Ribbontail Ray

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.