White-spotted Eagle Ray
Aetobatus ocellatus
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassElasmobranchii
- OrderMyliobatiformes (Stingrays)
- FamilyMyliobatidae (Eagle Rays)
- GenusAetobatus (Painted Rays)
- SpeciesAetobatus ocellatus (White-spotted Eagle Ray)
About the White-spotted Eagle Ray
The ocellated eagle ray or the whitespotted eagle ray, Aetobatus ocellatus, is a species of cartilaginous fish in the eagle ray family Myliobatidae. It is found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific region. In the past it was included in the spotted eagle ray (A. narinari), a species restricted to the Atlantic after the split.
Compared to the spotted eagle ray, A. ocellatus has a longer tail (mean total length 281 vs. 263% DW) and a longer stinging spine (mean length 9.7 vs. 8.9% DW). The background coloration of the dorsal surface in A. ocellatus is dark greenish/greying to almost blackish whereas A. narinari is much paler, medium yellowish to brownish. Their foraging range is based on anthropogenic noises with populations structured according to ontogenetic stage.
The ocellated eagle ray exhibits ovoviviparity with embryos feeding on yolk initially, then receiving additional nutrients from the mother through indirect absorption of enriched uterine fluid. The gestation period lasts over 12 months and only produces a few pups.
The ocellated eagle ray feeds primarily on gastropod, bivalve molluscs, crustaceans, worms, octopuses... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Raja Ampat
Munguna
Mobula alfredi
Oceanic Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
Ox Ray
Mobula kuhlii
Longhorned Pygmy Devil Ray
Mobula eregoodoo
Ornate Eagle Ray
Aetomylaeus vespertilio
Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray
Neotrygon moluccensis
Reef ray
Taeniura lymma
Mangrove Ray
Urogymnus granulatus
Blotched Fantail Ray
Taeniurops meyeni
Oriental Bluespotted Maskray
Neotrygon orientale
Reticulate Whipray
Himantura uarnak
Pink Whipray
Pateobatis fai
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galápagos Islands | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 2 | Raja Ampat | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 3 | Isla del Coco National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 4 | Ningaloo Marine Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a White-spotted Eagle Ray in Raja Ampat?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a White-spotted Eagle Ray sighting in Raja Ampat, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see White-spotted Eagle Ray in Raja Ampat?
August has the highest sighting rate for White-spotted Eagle Ray in Raja Ampat in our monthly data.