Kuhl's maskray
A venomous, blue-spotted stingray found from Indonesia to Japan.
Kuhl's maskray, also called the blue-spotted stingray, blue-spotted maskray, or Kuhl's stingray, belongs to the stingray family Dasyatidae. It was first placed in the genus *Dasyatis* but moved to *Neotrygon* in 2008, after studies of its shape and DNA showed it was a distinct group. This ray has a rhomboid, flat body that is green with blue spots. Its disk can reach about 46.5 cm (18.3 in) across. Although popular in aquariums, it is often confused with the blue-spotted ribbontail ray; that species has a rounder body, brighter green coloring, and more vivid blue spots, but Kuhl's maskray grows larger. Females live about 13 years, males about 10. It hunts fish and small mollusks. Its range stretches from Indonesia to Japan and across most of Australia. The ray also hosts many parasites, including tapeworms, flatworms, and flukes.
Heinrich Kuhl discovered this species in Java, Indonesia. Its population size is hard to pin down because Indonesia has five different ray species. Two main subgroups exist: the Java form and the Bali form, with the Bali type being much larger. The family Dasyatidae contains 9 genera and 70 species. Members of *Neotrygon* are called maskrays due to the color pattern around their eyes.
The body is flat, disc-like, and rhomboid, reaching up to 47 cm (19 in) across and 70 cm (28 in) total length. Its dark green top is covered with blue spots, while the underside is white—a pattern called countershading. The snout is short and broadly angular, and the disc is angular. The bright colors warn predators about two venomous spines at the base of a very long tail, which is about twice the body length. One spine is large, the other medium. Yellow eyes are positioned for a wide field of view. Since the gills sit on the underside, spiracles behind the eyes let water reach the gills when the ray rests or feeds on the seafloor. The mouth is also on the underside, which helps with its unique foraging style. Rays are usually solitary but sometimes gather in groups. Unlike many stingrays that bury themselves to hunt, Kuhl's maskray buries in sand only to hide from predators.
Its diet includes shrimp, small bony fish, mollusks, crabs, and worms. As a shallow-bottom feeder, it has a limited range of prey. It pins food to the seafloor with its fins. The ray has many tiny teeth, with the lower jaw slightly convex, and plate-like teeth that crush prey.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Neotrygon
- Species
- kuhlii
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Kuhl's maskray was discovered by Heinrich Kuhl in Java, Indonesia. The population size is greatly debatable due to five different species of rays in Indonesia, and two subgroups are known: the Java and Bali forms, with the Bali being much larger. On the familial level, Dasyatidae comprises 9 genera and 70 species. The species in Neotrygon are called maskrays because of the color pattern around their eyes.
The body is rhomboidal and colored green with blue spots, with a light white underbelly (countershading). Its snout is short and broadly angular, and it has bright yellow eyes positioned for a wide angle of view. The tail is about twice as long as the body and bears two venomous spines of different sizes. Unlike most stingrays, it buries itself in sand only to hide from predators, not to hunt.
Kuhl's maskray preys on shrimp, small bony fish, mollusks, crabs, and worms, overpowering them by pinning them to the seafloor with its fins. It is ovoviviparous, with embryos nourished by uterine fluid, and gives birth to up to seven pups per litter. The mating season is October and November, with ovulation in the Australian summer (December 1 to February 28/29).
Reader's Guide
Kuhl's maskray is significant as a commonly encountered reef stingray in tropical waters from Indonesia to Japan and most of Australia, typically found at depths less than 90 m in sand and mudflats, rocky coral reefs, and sea grass beds. It is popular in aquaria, though often not distinguished from the blue-spotted ribbontail ray, which is smaller and more vividly colored. The ray is heavily fished: it is the second-most significant species of shark, ray, and skate families caught, contributing about 700 kg per boat in 2006–2007 in the Java Sea, and is taken by bottom trawl, trammel, and fish traps. Its meat is smoked, salted, or dried for local markets, and its skin is used for drums such as the darbuka and riq. The venom contains serotonin, 5' nucleotidase, and phosphodiesterase. Protected areas in Queensland, Australia, include Shoalwater, Corio Bay's Area Ramsar Site, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. A major threat is coral reef destruction from pollution and fertilizers. Two short peptides from its hydrolyzed proteins show protective effects against oxidation of lipids, DNA, and proteins, with potential as functional food ingredients or nutraceuticals.
Did You Know?
- Kuhl's maskray was originally classified in Dasyatis but moved to Neotrygon in 2008.
- Its tail is about twice as long as its body and carries two venomous spines.
- The ray buries itself in sand only to hide from predators, unlike most stingrays.
More in Reef Sharks and Rays, Part 3 1-24
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