also: まだらとびエイ
spotted eagle ray
A species of eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) with distinctive white spots on a dark back. Usually written in katakana.
The spotted eagle ray is found in tropical seas.
I encountered a school of spotted eagle rays while diving.
トビエイ is the general term for eagle rays (family Myliobatidae), while マダラトビエイ specifically refers to the spotted eagle ray.
It is usually written in kana. Katakana is common for animal names.
Kanji spelling with katakana エイ. Rarely used.
Kanji spelling with hiragana えい. Rarely used.
Kanji spelling using 鱝. Rarely used.
Kanji spelling using 鱏. Rarely used.
Compound of 斑 (まだら, 'spots') + 鳶 (とび, 'kite, eagle ray') + エイ (えい, 'ray'). The name describes a spotted eagle ray.