The blotched fantail ray, Taeniura meyeni, is also called the bull ray, and inhabits nearshore tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific down to about 60 meters (200 feet).
It can reach up to 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) in width, and has a fairly short black tail with a ventral fin. It is named for its distinctive mottled coloration.
Mostly nocturnal, these rays feed on crustaceans, molluscs, and fish. They may be solitary or gregarious. The female gives birth to up to seven live young called pups.
These rays are targeted by commercial fisherman, and also caught as bycatch. They are also under pressure from habitat degradation, and have been given Vulnerable status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This video shows a pair of bull rays swimming near a reef at Koh Rock in Thailand.
Matthew Oldfield is a freelance photographer based in Bali, Indonesia, specializing in editorial and documentary images from both above and below the waves. He works primarily with charities, NGO’s, and other organizations working to conserve the environment, endangered species, and disappearing cultures.
