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Marine · Maluku · Papua

Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray

Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray (Neotrygon moluccensis). The Moluccan bluespotted maskray is a narrowly defined Neotrygon; generic blue-spotted ray records cannot automatically be assigned to it.

Updated Facts checked Neotrygon moluccensisEditorial standards

Compiled from the listed sources with AI assistance. How we prepare and review content

Photograph of Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray (Neotrygon moluccensis).
(c) Piotr Lukasik, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Image cropped for layout.

Quick answer

Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray at a glance

The Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray (Neotrygon moluccensis) is a marine animal in the family Dasyatidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Papua, Maluku, North Maluku. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Eastern Indonesia (Maluku). Diet: bottom-feeder on crustaceans (crabs, shrimps); a carnivore.

Quick facts: Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray
Scientific nameNeotrygon moluccensis
GroupMarine
FamilyDasyatidae
Observation recordsWest Papua, Maluku, North Maluku
Taxonomic groupMyliobatiformes
GBIF records86 human-observation records, 2016–2026
Data retrieved2026-09-23
Diet typeCarnivore (meat-eater) — bottom-feeder on crustaceans (crabs, shrimps) · FishBase
ReproductionOvoviviparity: eggs hatch inside the mother and live young are born · FishBase
Venom or poisonVenomous · Han et al. 2017, The Cardiovascular and Neurotoxic Effects of the Venoms of Six Bony and Cartilaginous Fish Species (Toxins 9:67)
Endemic to IndonesiaYes — Eastern Indonesia (Maluku) · FishBase
In this guide (12)
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

What is the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray?

Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray refers to Neotrygon moluccensis, in the genus Neotrygon, family Dasyatidae, and order Myliobatiformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray?

The Moluccan bluespotted maskray is a narrowly defined Neotrygon; generic blue-spotted ray records cannot automatically be assigned to it.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Peer-reviewed Neotrygon taxonomic comparison ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 86 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include West Papua, Maluku, North Maluku. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray?

In the water, keep space, do not chase or touch, and avoid blocking the animal’s route. Record place and date; photographs cannot estimate how many individuals live throughout a sea area. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray with Bluespotted Maskray, Oriental Bluespotted Maskray, Bluespotted Fantail Ray. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Scientific classification of the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray

Scientific classification from kingdom to species
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassChondrichthyes
OrderMyliobatiformes
FamilyDasyatidae
GenusNeotrygon
SpeciesNeotrygon moluccensis

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).

Common questions about the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray

What is the scientific name of the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray?

The scientific name of the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray is Neotrygon moluccensis, in the family Dasyatidae and the order Myliobatiformes.

What kind of animal is the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray?

The Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray is a marine animal in the family Dasyatidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a bottom-feeder on crustaceans (crabs, shrimps). It is also endemic to Indonesia.

Where does the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray summarised in this guide mainly come from West Papua, Maluku, North Maluku. That list is not a complete range map.

The Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Eastern Indonesia (Maluku). Source: FishBase.

What does the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray eat?

The Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray is a bottom-feeder on crustaceans (crabs, shrimps). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: FishBase.

How does the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray reproduce?

The Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray reproduces by ovoviviparity: eggs hatch inside the mother and live young are born. No species-specific data yet; classed with the live-bearing bluespotted maskray group (Neotrygon). Source: FishBase.

Is the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray venomous?

Yes. The Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray is venomous. The spine on its tail can sting; the tail barb of the closely related blue-spotted maskray (Neotrygon kuhlii) is proven to carry venom. Source: Han et al. 2017, The Cardiovascular and Neurotoxic Effects of the Venoms of Six Bony and Cartilaginous Fish Species (Toxins 9:67).

Do not catch, handle or disturb wild animals. If bitten, stung or exposed to its toxins, go to the nearest health facility straight away.

What is the scientific classification of the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray?

Scientific classification of the Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Chondrichthyes, order Myliobatiformes, family Dasyatidae, genus Neotrygon, species Neotrygon moluccensis.

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. Peer-reviewed Neotrygon taxonomic comparison ↗
  4. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  5. FishBase ↗
  6. FishBase ↗
  7. Han et al. 2017, The Cardiovascular and Neurotoxic Effects of the Venoms of Six Bony and Cartilaginous Fish Species (Toxins 9:67) ↗
  8. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →

Cite this page

Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.

PanduanHewan. Moluccan Bluespotted Maskray (Neotrygon moluccensis). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/neotrygon-moluccensis/

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