Blue Spotted Stingray

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Expert   • Temperament: Aggressive   • Maximum Size: 16"
• Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-79° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific, Australia
• Family: Dasyatidae   • Species: Rays   • Aquarium Type: Fish Only

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The Bluespotted Stingray is also commonly referred to as the Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray and Blue Dot Stingray. Bluespottted Stingrays stays relatively small in comparison to most ray species, but still require a 180 gallon or larger aquarium as an adult. While rays are very exotic and interesting species, they require special housing and feeding requirements and should only be attempted by expert hobbyists or institutions.

The Bluespotted Stingray is an attractive bottom dwelling species with a tan body with bright blue spots. The body is more oval in shape than many other ray species with a long tail spine. The middle of the body is more raised and flattens out towards the edges.

The Bluespotted Stingray requires a soft substrate, such as sand, as its abdomen is easily scratched by a coarser substrate, which could result in an infection. When not swimming along the bottom in search of food, the Bluespotted Stingray likes to cover itself with the soft substrate as camouflage. Once acclimated and feeding well, the Bluespotted Stingray will eat any invertebrates or mollusks in the aquarium. Care should always be exercised when handling or working in the aquarium with this species as its tail spine is venomous, but is only used for protection.

Caution should be taken when netting it, or when it is not visible and maintenance is performed in the aquarium. It is important to provide this species with a large aquarium with a deep sand bed, so that it can swim and turn comfortably without hitting walls or rock work within the aquarium and can easily bury itself within the sand when not feeding. Bluespotted Stingrays species should never be exposed to copper-based medications.

When first introduced into the aquarium environment, it may be difficult to get this species to feed. The best way to encourage feeding is by offering it small pieces of cleaned squid, or freshwater ghost shrimp. Dimming the lights in the room along with live foods will help the Bluespotted Stingray to adjust to feeding within the aquarium environment. When feeding consistently, it can be fed pieces of shrimp, scallops, or fish. Keep in mind that any live crustaceans or mollusks will become food for the ray as well.

Caution - This species is Venomous, and should be handled accordingly as these animals have an extremely painful sting. If you do get stung immediately soak it in hot water and call a doctor!