Ocellated eagle ray (spotted eagle ray)
Aetobatus ocellatus
Split in 2010 from the Atlantic Aetobatus narinari; older Indo-Pacific sources (including MRS-era guides) call it A. narinari.
- English
- Ocellated eagle ray (spotted eagle ray)
- Scientific
- Aetobatus ocellatus
- Dhivehi
- No recorded Dhivehi name
- Group
- Rays
- Maximum size
- Disc width up to about 3 m
- Depth and habitat
- Lagoons, reef edges and channels, about 1 to 100 m
- IUCN status
- EN · EndangeredEndangered (EN), assessed 2023
Description
A graceful ray with a dark blue-black back covered in white spots or rings, a white belly, a projecting duck-bill snout and a very long whip-like tail bearing venomous spines near the base. It 'flies' through open water with powerful wing beats and sometimes leaps clear of the surface. It digs in sand for clams, snails and crustaceans, crushing shells with plate-like teeth.
In the Maldives
Frequently seen in Maldivian channels and lagoons, sometimes in squadrons. Protected with all rays since 2014. The featured photo was taken at Milaidhoo, Baa Atoll.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Aetobatus-ocellatus.html
- saveourseas.com /update/all-ray-species-now-protected-in-the-maldives/
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Aetobatus_ocellatus_Maldives.jpg
Dhivehi name source: No species-specific Dhivehi name found. 'Madi' is the general word for ray.