Fish Active day and night

Blotched Fantail Ray

Taeniurops meyeni

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Meet the ocean's decorated floor-dweller, a massive ray known for its striking 'camouflage' blotches and curious nature. A master of the reef, the Blotched Fantail Ray is a highlight for any coastal underwater observer.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Disc width up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft); total length up to 3.3 m (10.8 ft); weight up to 150 kg (330 lbs)

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Colors

Upper disc is light grey to brownish with heavy black or dark grey mottling; the tail is solid black beyond the spine; the underside is creamy white.

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Key Features

Large, thick circular pectoral disc
Distinctive black tail with a deep ventral fin fold
Mottled or 'blotched' dark pattern on a lighter base
Upper surface covered in small, prickly tubercles

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active day and night

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Peak hours 8 PM - 4 AM (Hunting); 10 AM - 2 PM (Resting)

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Season Year-round

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Diet A carnivorous benthic feeder that hunts bony fish, crabs, shrimp, octopuses, and bivalves by pinning them against the substrate.

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Habitat Coral reefs, sandy lagoons, estuaries, and offshore reef slopes.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Blotched Fantail Ray Live?

The Blotched Fantail Ray is a true citizen of the Indo-Pacific, spanning an enormous aquatic territory that stretches from the warm coastal waters of South Africa and the Red Sea across to southern Japan and the northern coast of Australia. This wide-ranging species is also frequently encountered around remote oceanic islands in the eastern Pacific, such as the Galápagos and Cocos Islands. While they are primarily residents of tropical reef systems, they are occasionally seen in subtropical regions depending on warm current patterns.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

10 Countries

75.4M km² Range

Vulnerable Conservation

AU Australia ID Indonesia Maldives ZA South Africa JP Japan PH Philippines MX Mexico EC Ecuador TH Thailand Egypt

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Blotched Fantail Ray is a powerful and inquisitive predator often found patrolling the seafloor. Unlike many of its more skittish relatives, this species is known for its relative boldness around divers and underwater camera equipment. While they are capable of deep-sea travel, they spend much of their time in shallower lagoons or resting in the shelter of reef caves and ledges during the day.

These rays are primarily solitary but can be observed in small aggregations during mating periods or in areas with high food density. They are highly active at night, using their sensitive electroreception to locate prey buried beneath the sand. When threatened or stepped on, they can defend themselves with a venomous tail spine, but they generally prefer to glide away gracefully if given the space.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Blotched Fantail Ray requires a specialized underwater camera setup, such as a submersible trail camera or a tethered dock camera. To get the best results, mount your camera approximately 30 to 60 centimeters (1 to 2 feet) above the seabed, angled slightly downward. Look for 'corridors' where the reef meets the sand, as these are natural highways for rays searching for buried prey. If you are filming from a private dock or pier, a downward-facing camera with a wide-angle lens is essential to capture their massive 1.8-meter wingspan.

Because these rays are most active as hunters after dark, external lighting is a must. Use infrared (IR) illuminators if you want to observe natural behavior without startling the fish, though white light will better showcase their striking mottled patterns. Set your camera to record high-definition video rather than stills, as the fluid, undulating motion of the ray's disc is its most impressive feature. A trigger sensitivity set to 'High' is recommended, as the slow gliding motion can sometimes fail to trigger less sensitive sensors.

In coastal areas, tide cycles are your best friend. Plan your observation for the incoming high tide, which often brings these rays closer to shore and into shallower lagoons to feed. Be mindful of biofouling on the lens; in tropical waters, algae and barnacles can obscure the view within days. Using a specialized anti-fouling lens coating or performing weekly maintenance will ensure your footage remains crystal clear. If legal in your area, a small amount of fish offal placed in a perforated container (chumming) can act as a powerful lure to keep the ray in the camera's field of view for longer periods.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Blotched Fantail Ray.

Porcupine Ray

Lacks the venomous spine and the black tail-fold of the Fantail Ray, instead featuring a back covered in sharp, thorn-like denticles.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are active day and night, but their peak hunting activity occurs after sunset and through the early morning hours when they use electroreception to find prey in the sand.

Placing your camera near the interface of coral reefs and sandy flats is best. Small amounts of scent-based lures like fish scraps can encourage them to linger, provided it is permitted by local regulations.

They are bottom-feeders that primarily eat small bony fish, crustaceans like crabs and shrimp, and various mollusks found on or under the seabed.

They are common near tropical coastal communities with healthy reef systems, often appearing near jetties, boat moorings, and lagoons.

Look for the distinctive black tail and the thick, rounded body covered in dark, irregular blotches. Unlike the Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray, they lack bright blue spots and are significantly larger.

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