Taeniura lymma
Bluespotted Fantail Ray
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Elasmobranchii
Order
Myliobatiformes
Family
Dasyatidae
Genus
Taeniura
Species
Taeniura lymma
Colours
Distinguishing features
A bronze coloured stingray with bright blue spots all over the disk and usually a blue stripe along each side of the tail. The wings are rounded.
Size
- Up to 70 cm (Length of specimen)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Areas of rubble and sand on shallow coral reef flats.
Can be seen in most locations around the island, although prefers shallow reef flats.
Behaviour
Active both diurnally and nocturnally, although more usually at night and late afternoon. Moves over shallow reef flats on the rising tide to feed on invertebrates from areas of sand and rubble, and digs actively when hunting. During low tides this species shelters under caves and ledges, but doesn't bury under sand.
Web resources
Danger
- unspecified - The tail has a poisonous spine about half way along its length, which can be used to inflict a painful stabbing wound if the ray is stepped upon. Walk with care in shallow water on reef flats, and stand still if a stingray is near - they will always move away if given the chance. For first aid click here.
References
References that assist with identification
- Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene (1990). Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Other references
- Chisholm, L.A. and I.D. Whittington (1999). Empruthotrema quindecima sp. n. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the nasal fossae of Taeniura lymma (Dasyatididae) from Heron Island and Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia, Folia Parasitologica, 46(4): 274-278. LIRS catalog number 666.
- White, W.T. and Dharmadi (2007). Species and size compositions and reproductive biology of rays (Chondrichthyes, Batoidea) caught in target and non-target fisheries in eastern Indonesia, Journal of Fish Biology, 70: 1809-1837. LIRS catalog number 90010.