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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Spotted ray

Distribution : Mediterranean · Atlantic Ocean

On a dive over soft seabed, the Spotted ray sometimes reveals itself at the last moment as it lifts off the sand where it was perfectly concealed. More slender and less conspicuous than other rays, it leads a quiet life searching for small benthic prey, meaning animals living on the bottom.

Habitat of Spotted ray Habitat
Sand, Gravel, Rocky habitat, Detrital bottom
Depth range of Spotted ray Depth
8-530 m
Biological group of Spotted ray Group
Ecological role of Spotted ray Role
Apex predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The Spotted ray is a cartilaginous fish with a flattened, diamond-shaped body and broad, rounded ‘wings’. Its skin is generally beige to light brown, scattered with many evenly distributed small dark spots. Some may form patterns resembling little eyespots. Its tail is thin, with two small dorsal fins and no venomous sting. Its short, rounded snout gives it a smooth, even outline.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It lives on soft seabeds such as sand, mud or detrital bottoms, generally between a few metres and more than one hundred metres deep. It frequents continental-shelf areas where it can easily conceal itself.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It feeds on animals living on or within sediment, particularly crustaceans, worms and small fish that it detects and catches on the bottom.

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Spotted ray

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Other species — Benthic fish

Anglerfish Small-spotted catshark Thornback ray Greater weever Marbled electric ray Red-mouthed Goby Large-scaled Goby Common sole

Same habitat and depth

Sandy seabed species Gravel seabed species Rocky seabed species Detrital seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Apex predator species

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