Blotched Fantail Ray Taeniura meyeni

Identity card

Blotched Fantail Ray

Scientific name:
Taeniura meyeni
Family:
Dasyatidae
Class:
Chondrichthyes
Phylum:
Chordata
Year of description:
Müller & Henle, 1841
IUCN Status:
Vulnerable
CITES-status:

Not Evaluated

Distribution:

Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Western Pacific Ocean.

Habitat:

Between 1 - 500 m, but more commonly between a depth of 20 and 60 m.

Size:

3.30 m for up to 150 kg.

Diet:

Benthic fish, bivalves, crabs and shrimps.

Blotched Fantail Ray Taeniura meyeni
 

Bravo, the largest ray has a 1.5 m wingspan, is 2.6 m long and weighs 120 kg.

Delta is slightly smaller, with a 1.20 m wingspan and 2 m length, and weighs 60 kg.

Did you know?

The two giant blotched faintail rays in Nausicaá are males that are just over 7 years old. They come from the Den Blå Planet aquarium in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their arrival is a consequence of the cooperation within EUAC, the European Union of Aquarium Curators; animal exchanges are common between aquariums.

They can be found with the other rays in the large tank: the manta ray, the blackchin guitarfish, the eagle rays and the Atlantic pygmy devil rays in "The great ocean show" area in "JOURNEY ON THE HIGH SEAS". As they tend to live on the sea floor, you will need to be attentive to spot their silhouette on the sand of the large tank.

Where is the animal to be found?

Blotched fantail rays are found in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean. They are more likely to live along the seabed, in lagoons, on the outer slopes of coral reefs, on soft seabeds or even near the shore.

How can it be recognised?

It is one of the largest rays in the world. The blotched fantail ray has a rounded body, like a thick disc, and a relatively short tail. Like other fantail rays, it has a poisonous spine on its tail.

What is distinctive about it?

The ray reaches sexual maturity when it reaches 1m/1.10m; it is ovoviviparous, i.e. the eggs are incubated and hatch inside the female's abdomen and a litter can comprise up to 7 baby rays.

Threat and protective measure

VU - vulnerable but declining. It is only protected when it lives in a protected marine area. Otherwise, there are no measures.

Where can I find it at Nausicaá?

Journey on the high seas

Blotched Fantail Ray Taeniura meyeni

The Ocean Mag

Browse through our Ocean Mag

In the spotlight

10 things you need to know about jellyfish

Found in all the world's seas, the jellyfish intrigues and fascinates. But watch out, you might get burnt !

méduse dorée à nausicaa

Article

Atlantic Pygmy Devil Ray, a subject of conservation research

The collaboration between a researcher and the caretakers of Nausicaá to conserve the Atlantic Pygmy Devil Ray Mobula hypostoma.

Article

Using turtle vocalisations to prevent accidental capture

Scientists are using turtles' vocalisations to steer them away from fishing nets.