Aetobatus ocellatus

(Kuhl, 1823)

Vernacular names
English : Ocellated eagle ray
French : Raie-aigle ocellée

Classification
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Myliobatiformes
Family : Myliobatidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to over 3 meters in diameter for a weight around 200 kg but is usually smaller. Underside white. Upperside dark slaty grey with more or less white dots (sometimes almost absent). Triangular snout, very long and thin tail.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and east African coast to south Japan, north Australia and east to Hawaii. Lives in coral reefs, inshore waters, rarely open sea, to 100 m deep at least.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is potentially threatened by unregulated fisheries activity (mostly for food) throughout its range. Habitat loss can also be problematic.
Ex-Situ Programs : ESB in Europe

Observation

 

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