Fauna
Fish

White-spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus ocellatus

Also known as Ocellated Eagle Ray

White-spotted eagle rays are active pelagic cruisers celebrated for their graceful underwater flight and remarkable habit of leaping completely out of the sea. They possess flattened, pavement-like tooth plates specifically adapted to crush hard-shelled mollusks and crustaceans dug up from sandy bottoms. Found across coral reefs and coastal lagoons of the Indo-Pacific, these rays often gather in large synchronized schools along reef drop-offs during high tide.

MarinePelagic
White-spotted Eagle Ray reference1 / 7
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyClams and Oysters, Crabs and Shrimps, Hermit Crabs
Predators
  • Tiger Shark
  • Great Hammerhead
  • Bull Shark
ThreatsTargeted and accidental gillnet capture, longline bycatch, and coastal habitat loss
HabitatsCoral reefs, lagoons, coastal bays, and shallow estuaries
Life span15–25 years
Classification
  1. OrderMyliobatiformes
  2. FamilyMyliobatidae
  3. GenusAetobatus
  4. SpeciesAetobatus ocellatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Possesses venomous barbed spines at the tail base; keep a respectful distance while diving.
Why it is dangerous
Serrated spines at the base of the whip-like tail deliver proteinaceous venom that causes excruciating pain, necrosis, and deep infection.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a distinct duckbill-shaped snout, broad wing-like pectoral fins, and a dark back covered in white spots.
What to do
Never touch, harass, or corner a swimming or resting ray, and allow an open escape route at all times.
What to notice
Easily recognized in Indo-Pacific waters by diamond-shaped wings adorned with numerous white rings and spots.
Support conservation
Observe from a distance of at least 3 to 5 meters without blocking reef channels or feeding grounds.
Responsible observation
  • Diving Etiquette: Maintain neutral buoyancy and avoid chasing schools, which causes them to flee.
  • Boat Safety: Watch for surface-skimming or jumping rays when navigating shallow reef flats.
  • Seafloor Awareness: Never attempt to touch resting rays on the sand to prevent defensive tail strikes.
Related species
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