Blue-spotted Lagoon Ray

Photo: portioid · CC BY

Blue-spotted lagoon rays rest partially buried in sandy channels between coral heads during slack water, hunting for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs when the current picks up. Their vivid electric-blue spots are thought to serve as an aposematic warning, signalling the presence of venomous tail spines to potential predators. Lankayan's gentle topography creates ideal mixed sand-and-coral microhabitat that supports a stable resident population.