18/06/2025
Quick INFO:
Why the Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray Digs in the Sand
This ray uses its large, disc-shaped pectoral fins to excavate shallow pits in the sandy seafloor. These pits are created to uncover hidden prey such as mollusks, polychaete worms, shrimp, crabs, and small benthic fish. Once prey is located, the ray traps it by maneuvering its body over the prey and guiding it into its mouth with the disc.
This behavior is particularly evident during the night, when small groups of bluespotted ribbontail rays venture onto shallow sandy flats to feed. They work together to forage, and their activity often attracts other fish, like goatfish, that follow them to scavenge any leftover food.
Unlike many other stingrays, the bluespotted ribbontail ray doesn't bury itself in the sand to hide. Instead, it prefers to remain exposed, often resting motionless during the day under coral ledges, in caves, or among debris, with its tail sometimes the only visible part.
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