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BULLS-EYE STINGRAY

Bullseye Stingray

Photograph copyright Andy Murch

View all available Bullseye Stingray pictures in the Shark Pictures Database

Common Names: Bullseye Stingray, Bulls-eye Stingray, Reef stingray, Concentric Stingray, Spot-on-spot round ray.

Latin Name: Urobatis concentricus. Previously classified as Urolophus concentricus.

Family: Urobatidae

Identification: Almost circular oval disc. Dorsum markings consist of dark concentric rings on a pale background. The outermost ring is often broken into small spots. The broader central rings are linked by bars forming a bold laterally symmetrical web pattern.

Size: Maximum length 60cm

Habitat: Shallow sandy bays and around rocky reefs. Intertidal to at least 20m.

Abundance and distribution: Predominantly found in the Sea of Cortez and possibly south to the Galapagos Islands.

In Cabo Pulmo the Bulls-eye Stingray is more frequently observed in the winter.

Behavior: Forages over sand for worms and crustaceans.

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous. Gravid females exude milk from the wall of the uterus.

Photographs: Cabo Pulmo, Baja , Mexico.

Similar species: The Bullseye stingray shares its range with the Cortez Round Stingray which is sometimes almost identical but usually displays a more broken pattern of spots and blotches, and the Round Stingray (Urobatis halleri) which has a similar but barely definable pattern over a network of fine light and dark spots.

Reaction to divers: Moves away upon close approach.

Diving logistics: This species is commonly encountered while diving and snorkelling over sand or near rocky reefs in the southern Sea of Cortez . In March at Cabo Pulmo I encountered the Bullseye stingray on every dive at around 50ft. On a previous trip during the summer none were present implying that this ray has at least a minor migration, perhaps into slightly deeper water where the temperature is more moderate.

Other diving locations submitted by readers:

References and further reading:

Reef Sharks and Rays of the World. Scott W. Michael. Sea Challengers.

Sharks and Rays Ralf M. Hennemann

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