Bullseye Electric Ray: Small, Round, and Electric

The bullseye electric ray is a small, round, disc-shaped ray named for the striking target-like spot on its back. It rests buried on sandy bottoms and, true to its name, can deliver an electric shock. It's a harmless-to-watch oddity of the seabed. Here's how to spot one near Jacó, plus five fun facts.

Bullseye Electric Ray · Diplobatis ommata

How to spot the bullseye electric ray near Jacó

Look on sandy and rubble bottoms near the reef for a small, round, disc-shaped ray, often with only its outline showing above the sand. The bold bullseye marking on its back is the giveaway. Give it space and simply enjoy the look — like all reef life, it's a watch-don't-touch animal.

5 fun facts about the bullseye electric ray

• Named for its bullseye. A bold, target-like ring on its back gives this little ray both its name and the easiest way to tell it apart from other small rays.
• It really is electric. Special organs in its disc can produce an electric discharge, used to stun small prey and to defend itself — another great reason to look and never touch.
• A pocket-sized ray. Unlike the big stingrays, the bullseye electric ray is small and round, usually only about the size of a dinner plate.
• A sand-dweller. It spends much of its time resting buried in the sand, where its mottled back blends in with the seafloor.
• A gentle drifter. When it does move, it glides slowly just above the bottom with soft ripples of its round disc — unhurried and easy to watch from a distance.

The bullseye electric ray is just one of many characters down there. See the whole cast in our Snorkel Jaco fish directory, or read real guest photos and reviews on the Snorkel Jaco reviews.