Name: Blue-spotted-stingrayScientific name: Taeniura lymma (Forsskål, 1775)
Family: Dasyatidae
Group: Sharks, rays and chimaeras
Class: Fish
Size: 26-50 cm.
This ray is immediately identifiable by the bright blue spots on its back. Despite being a timid animal, when it feels threatened, it defends itself with its tail, which it uses as a whip. This has 1 to 2 strong and venomous stings, which can cause very serious and sometimes fatal injuries. To destroy the effect of the venom, one only has to immerse the affected zone in very hot water. The bluespotted ribbontail ray forms groups that accompany the flooding tide to feed close to the beach. With the ebbing tide, these groups move away and disperse to hide in holes and reef overhangs.
Photo by:
Rob Johnson (week.divebums.com)
Oceanário Location
Tropical Indian
