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Shark picture - green sawfish

YELLOW STINGRAY

Juvenile yellow spotted stingray

Unusually dark color morph from Oyster Bed Lagoon, Utila.

Photograph copyright Andy Murch

View all available Yellow Spotted Stingray Pictures in the Shark Pictures Database

Common Names: Yellow stingray, Yellow spotted stingray, Lemon ray.

Latin Name: Urobatis jamaicensis

Family: Urobatidae

Identification: Disc circular or slightly oval, no dorsal fin, tail shorter than disc length. Dorsum pale with dark and light spots and blotches. Overall appearance may be very pale or boldly patterned depending on the rays habitat.

The almost black underlying skin coloration with bright yellow dots in the lower image is very unusual. This ray was found in a dark muddy lagoon where a corresponding color would be appropriate. Why this ray has accentuated yellow spots that make it stand out is unclear.

Size: Maximum length 60cm, Disc width 37.5cm.

Habitat: Sandy areas often around coral reefs, bays, and lagoons. Intertidal to 25m.

Abundance: Common in Florida and Northern Caribbean.

Distribution: North Carolina to Trinidad.

Behavior: Lies motionless often covered by sand. When searching for food (crustaceans) creates a depression in the sand by flapping its anterior disc margin.

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous.

Photographs: From top: Grand Cayman, Florida Keys, Utila.

Similar species: There are no other urolophid stingray species in the caribbean. The similarly shaped chupare stingray is easily distinguishable by its larger size, plain colouration and long whiplike tail devoid of finfolds.

Reaction to divers: The yellow spotted stingray will allow a close approach with slow non threatening movements. This ray will bolt when disturbed.

Diving logistics: This such a commonly seen species that it can be found on almost any shallow dive within its range. Shore diving from the Florida coast would be a good place to look. On Grand Cayman I found many in the lagoons inside the reefs on the North and South shores in very shallow water. Inside the reef at Spotts Beach is a good area to snorkel. On the Atlantic coast of Florida I saw Yellow stingrays on every shallow dive that I did during the summer.

On Utila it may be possible to find this ray displaying the dark color morph in Oyster Bed lagoon. During a one week period while snorkeling every day I found one solitary specimen.

Other locations reported by readers:

Further reading:

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