Anders Poulsen, Dänemark
Info
(Forsskål, 1775)
Taeniura lymma, commonly known as Blue-spotted stingray or Bluespotted ribbontail ray, is found primarily in the Indo-west Pacific. They may be found in shallow continental shelf waters ranging from temperate to tropical seas. The Blue-spotted stingray is a colorful stingray with distinct, large, bright blue spots on its oval, elongated body. The snout is rounded and angular with broad outer corners. The tail tapers and can be equal to or slightly less than the body length when intact. Its caudal fin is broad and reaches to the tip of the tail. At the tip of the tail are two sharp venomous spines which permit this ray to strike at enemies forward of its head. The tail of Taeniura lymma can be easily recognized by the blue side-stripes found on either side. It has large spiracles that lie very close to its large eyes. It can grow to a disc diameter of about 25 cm (9.84 in.) but has been reported as being as large as 95 cm (37.4 in.) in diameter. The mouth is found on the underside of the body along with the gills. Within the mouth are two plates, which are used for crushing the shells of crabs, prawns, and mollusks.
Blue-spotted stingrays may be found alone or in small groups, mostly in shallow waters over reef flats or on sandy bottoms around coral reefs. They are rather shy and will usually swim away rapidly if disturbed, when threatened, blue-spotted stingrays will use their venomous tail to inject poison. The venom is produced and delivered into narrow groves running lengthwise along the underside of the stinger.
These rays like to bury themselves just underneath the sand where they will feed on various invertebrates. They usually are found on shallow continental shelves; however, they have also been observed around coral rubble and shipwreck debris at depths of 20-25m deep. Sightings of Taeniura lymma have been recorded in Australia in shallow tropical marine waters Western Australia. They can be found at depths of up to 25 m and have also been recorded to range in location from southern Africa and the Red Sea to the Solomon Islands.
Synonyms:
Raja lymma Forsskål, 1775
Taeniura lymna (Forsskål, 1775)
Trygon ornatus Gray, 1830
Taeniura lymma, commonly known as Blue-spotted stingray or Bluespotted ribbontail ray, is found primarily in the Indo-west Pacific. They may be found in shallow continental shelf waters ranging from temperate to tropical seas. The Blue-spotted stingray is a colorful stingray with distinct, large, bright blue spots on its oval, elongated body. The snout is rounded and angular with broad outer corners. The tail tapers and can be equal to or slightly less than the body length when intact. Its caudal fin is broad and reaches to the tip of the tail. At the tip of the tail are two sharp venomous spines which permit this ray to strike at enemies forward of its head. The tail of Taeniura lymma can be easily recognized by the blue side-stripes found on either side. It has large spiracles that lie very close to its large eyes. It can grow to a disc diameter of about 25 cm (9.84 in.) but has been reported as being as large as 95 cm (37.4 in.) in diameter. The mouth is found on the underside of the body along with the gills. Within the mouth are two plates, which are used for crushing the shells of crabs, prawns, and mollusks.
Blue-spotted stingrays may be found alone or in small groups, mostly in shallow waters over reef flats or on sandy bottoms around coral reefs. They are rather shy and will usually swim away rapidly if disturbed, when threatened, blue-spotted stingrays will use their venomous tail to inject poison. The venom is produced and delivered into narrow groves running lengthwise along the underside of the stinger.
These rays like to bury themselves just underneath the sand where they will feed on various invertebrates. They usually are found on shallow continental shelves; however, they have also been observed around coral rubble and shipwreck debris at depths of 20-25m deep. Sightings of Taeniura lymma have been recorded in Australia in shallow tropical marine waters Western Australia. They can be found at depths of up to 25 m and have also been recorded to range in location from southern Africa and the Red Sea to the Solomon Islands.
Synonyms:
Raja lymma Forsskål, 1775
Taeniura lymna (Forsskål, 1775)
Trygon ornatus Gray, 1830
