Banded eagle ray

The banded eagle ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii) is a species of fish in the family Myliobatidae. The species was first described by Bloch and Schneider in 1801. As an elasmobranch, the banded eagle ray has a skeleton composed of cartilage. Like other eagle rays it has a depressiform, dorsoventrally flattened, shape to succeed in its benthic lifestyle. It preys mainly on benthic crustaceans, snails, and worms. Its natural habitats are open seas, shallow seas, and coral reefs. As of 2016, this species is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. The main threats to the banded eagle ray are overfishing and habitat destruction.