There are more than 500 described species of rays which is scientifically known as Batoidea, a superorder of cartilaginous fish which include stingrays, skates, electric rays, guitarfishes and sawfishes.

Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray (Taeniura lymma)

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The Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray or Blue Dot Ray is one of the very few colorful stingrays in the world. It can be found around coral reefs in the tropical Indo-West Pacific. Reproduction is ovoviviparous which means that the eggs are kept within the mother’s body until they are ready to hatch or are about to hatch. The only known predator of the Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray is the Hammerhead shark.

Banded Stingaree (Urolophus cruciatus)

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One more of the very few colorful species of stingray is the Banded Stingaree or Crossback Stingaree of southeastern Australia. It has distinctive “cross-like” markings on its back. The population around Tasmania prefers very shallow, muddy flats in estuaries and bays, while those off southern Australia are usually found deeper than 25 meters or 80 ft.

Yellow Stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis)

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As it name implies, the Yellow Stingray is a colorful species of stingray but not as brightly colored compared to the Banded Stingaree. It is found in shallow, near-shore environments in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The tail spine of Yellow Stingray is venomous and can inflict a painful wound if it is accidentally stepped on. Normally, it is harmless to humans.

Bullseye Electric Ray (Diplobatis ommata)

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The Bullseye Electric Ray or Ocellated Electric Ray is notable and named for its peculiar marking on its back that looks like a “bullseye”. It is native to the eastern Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Ecuador. It is most common on sandy bottoms, but is also found over rocky bottoms, in bays, and near rock reefs. The deepest reported occurrence of this species is at 94 meters or 308 ft. This species grows to a maximum length of 25 cm or 10 in. It is capable of generating a painful electric shock for defense. It is a solitary, nocturnal species that spends the day partially buried in sand, near rock reefs. At night, it moves into shallower water, using its pelvic fins to “hop” along the bottom.

Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)

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The elegant-looking Spotted Eagle Ray or Bonnet Ray with notably long tail in relation to other rays is found in shallow coastal water by coral reefs and bays of Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans in depths down to 80 meters or 260 feet. The spotted eagle ray can be identified by its numerous white ringed spots on its blue dorsal surface, white ventral surface, long, whip-like tail, and distinctive head that somewhat resembles a bill. It preys mainly upon bivalves, shrimps, crabs, whelks, and other benthic fauna. The largest specimens can grow up to a maximum wingspan of 3 m (10 ft) and a mass of 230 kg (500 pounds). Its long tail can reach 5 m. It can have up from 2-6 venomous spines on the tail; however, it does not pose a significant threat as it generally avoids human contact.

Round Stingray (Urobatis halleri)

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The venomous Round Stingray or Haller’s Round Ray can be found in the coastal waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is a small, common ray that feeds mostly on benthic invertebrates. On the beaches of southern California, it is responsible for numerous injuries to bathers, who are stung when they accidentally step on the fish. The wound caused by its venomous spine can be painful, but is non-fatal.

Xingu River Stingray (Potamotrygon leopoldi)

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The Xingu River Ray or White-blotched River Stingray is endemic to Brazil. It is unique for having white spots or blotches on its entire body. Its natural habitat is rivers and considered as a threatened species due to habitat loss.

Ocellated River Stingray (Potamotrygon motoro)

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Another unique freshwater ray is the Ocellated River Stingray which is also known as the Peacock-eye Stingray because of the circular spots on its disk. This distinct ray is native to the basins of the Uruguay, Parana, Orinoco and Amazon Rivers. It is known to grow up to 1 m or 3 ft. and weighs up to 15 kg or 33 lb.

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Ocellated River Stingrays come in variety of colors and are sometimes kept in captivity. It is one of the most common species of Potamotrygon in the aquarium.

Black Spotted Torpedo (Torpedo fuscomaculata)

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The Black-spotted Torpedo is a poorly-known, uncommon species of electric ray. It is known for being capable of generating an electric shock. It is endemic to southern Africa and possibly several small Indian Ocean islands. Its appearance is similar to the Gulf Torpedo (Torpedo sinuspersici), but it is duller in coloration.

Pelagic Stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea)

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The Pelagic Stingray is also known as Violet Stingray and Blue Stingray. It is absolutely unique because it is the only known stingray to be completely oceanic, rather than benthic, in habitat. It occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas and characterized by its broad, angular disc and uniform violet to blue-green coloration.

Devil Fish (Mobula)

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The huge and marvelous-looking Devil Fish can attain a disc width of up to 5.2 meters or 17 feet and probably can weigh over a ton, second only to the Manta in size. It can breach as high as 2 meters above the sea that makes it appear to be flying on air. Mobula is a genus of ray and their appearance is similar to that of Manta Rays, which are in the same family.

Manta Ray (Manta birostris)

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The magnificent and gorgeous Manta Ray is the largest of the rays. The largest recorded specimen is more than 7.6 m or about 25 ft across with a weight of about 2,300 kg or about 5,000 lb. That’s really huge! It ranges throughout tropical waters of the world, typically around coral reefs.

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Mantas are known with a variety of common names like Atlantic Manta, Pacific Manta, Devilfish, and just Manta.

Pacific Electric Ray (Torpedo californica)

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The electrifying Pacific Electric Ray is the only electric ray that is native to the western coast of the US. It is a solitary, nocturnal predator of bony fishes, which it subdues using pulses of electricity. Care should be exercised around this species, as it has been known to act aggressively towards divers if provoked and its electric shock can knock down a grown person. Pacific Electric Rays are of significance to molecular biology as a model organism for studies on acetylchloline receptors and other proteins, which are abundant in the cells of its electric organs.

Cowtail Stingray (Pastinachus sephen)

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The unique-looking Cowtail Stingray is widespread in the Indo Pacific region and occasionally entering freshwater habitats. It is also known as Banana-tail Ray, Drab Stingray, Fantail Ray, Feathertail Stingray and Frill Tailed Stingray. The most distinctive characteristic of the Cowtail Stingray is the large, flag-like ventral fold on its tail, which is especially prominent when the ray is swimming. This species is valued as a source of high-quality shagreen, a type of leather and its populations are now under threat from heavy exploitation by targeted fisheries.

Bigtooth River Stingray (Potamotrygon henlei)

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Another freshwater ray is the peculiar-looking and threatened species commonly called Bigtooth River Stingray. This fish is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are rivers and freshwater lakes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Little Skate (Raja erinacea)

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The cute and biologically and medically important Little Skate is found from Nova Scotia to North Carolina on sand or gravel habitats. They are one of the dominant members of the demersal fish community in the northwestern Atlantic. This species is of minimal commercial importance and is mostly utilized as bait for lobster traps, though its wings are also marketed for food. It is used as a model organism for biological and medical research.

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For more amazing marine creatures see

• Bizarre and Unique Marine Animals

• Giant Creatures of the Deep Sea

• 25 Amazing and Bizarre Deep Sea Creatures

• World’s Most Brightly Colored Fishes