Aetomylaeus vespertilio
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornate_eagle_ray
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The ornate eagle ray faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive fishing pressure across its Indo-Pacific range. As a large, slow-growing species with low reproductive rates, it is particularly vulnerable to overexploitation by commercial and artisanal fisheries that target rays for their meat, fins, and gill plates. Coastal development and habitat degradation in shallow marine environments further compound the species' decline, while its distinctive appearance makes it easily recognizable and targeted by fishers.
Habitat
The ornate eagle ray inhabits shallow coastal waters, coral reefs, and sandy bottoms in tropical and subtropical marine environments throughout the Indo-Pacific region. It is commonly found in depths ranging from near-surface waters to approximately 100 meters, often frequenting areas with soft substrates where it forages for mollusks and crustaceans.
