The Bull Ray, Bullray, Bull-ray, Cowfish, Cowray, Eagle Ray, Fly-aways, Mill Ray, Millray, New Zealand Eagle Ray, Whip Ray, Whiptail Ray, Australian Eagle Ray, scientifically known as Myliobatis tenuicaudatus, is a species of ray commonly found in the coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region. This large, flat fish is distinguished by its prominent, wing-like pectoral fins and a whip-like tail that can be used to defend itself.
Description & Characteristics
The Myliobatis tenuicaudatus can reach a maximum size of 150.0 cm in length. Its body is characterized by a flattened disc-shaped torso with two prominent, wing-like pectoral fins that allow for powerful and efficient swimming. The ray’s head is located at the front of the disc, featuring a large, protruding mouth. This mouth houses rows of flat, crushing teeth used for breaking open the shells of its prey. The Myliobatis tenuicaudatus has a distinctive, long, thin tail that bears a venomous spine near its base, used for defense against predators.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Bull Ray, Bullray, Bull-ray, Cowfish, Cowray, Eagle Ray, Fly-aways, Mill Ray, Millray, New Zealand Eagle Ray, Whip Ray, Whiptail Ray, Australian Eagle Ray, Myliobatis tenuicaudatus, is a common inhabitant of coastal waters in the Indo-Pacific region. This species is typically found in depths ranging from 0.0 to 160.0 meters, making it a resident of both shallow coastal areas and deeper oceanic environments. The Myliobatis tenuicaudatus is often found in marine zones characterized by sandy bottoms, seagrass beds, and rocky reefs, providing them with suitable habitats for foraging and hiding. Their distribution encompasses a range of environments including the neritic zone, characterized by shallow waters, and the bathyal zone, which extends to deeper regions of the continental slope.
Taxonomy
The species Myliobatis tenuicaudatus belongs to the Class: Elasmobranchii, Order: Myliobatiformes, and Family: Myliobatidae. This classification places it within the larger group of cartilaginous fishes, which includes sharks and rays. Myliobatis tenuicaudatus is further categorized within the Order Myliobatiformes, a group of rays known for their broad, wing-like pectoral fins and their generally flattened body shape. This species is part of the Family Myliobatidae, commonly referred to as the eagle rays, which are known for their characteristically long, whip-like tails with venomous spines.
Feeding
The Bull Ray, Bullray, Bull-ray, Cowfish, Cowray, Eagle Ray, Fly-aways, Mill Ray, Millray, New Zealand Eagle Ray, Whip Ray, Whiptail Ray, Australian Eagle Ray, Myliobatis tenuicaudatus, is a predatory fish that feeds on a variety of benthic organisms. Its diet primarily consists of clams, crabs, crustaceans, edible crab, shrimps, and other zoobenthos, which are organisms that inhabit the seafloor. The Myliobatis tenuicaudatus uses its strong jaws and flat teeth to crush the shells of its prey, extracting the soft flesh inside. Its foraging behavior is often characterized by using its powerful pectoral fins to stir up sediment, revealing hidden prey organisms.
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