All fish / Dasyatidae

Atlantic Stingray

Hypanus sabinus

Also known as atlantic stingray, atlantic sting ray, sabine stingray, dasyatis sabina, stingaree, アトランティックスティングレイ, 萨氏魟, 大西洋魟

A small, brown, round-bodied stingray with a long whip-like tail, pale underneath and with a slightly pointed snout. It is one of the smallest American stingrays and adapts to a wide range of salinities, so public aquariums and keen hobbyists keep it in large sand-bottomed systems.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

20 to 28 °C

pH

7.8 to 8.4

Smallest tank

1500 litres

Keep as

Singly or in pairs in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: shrimp, clams, squid, worms and other meaty seafood

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 16 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: Chesapeake Bay to Florida, Gulf of Mexico to Yucatán; Florida freshwater rivers and lakes

Breeding

It gives birth to live young after a gestation of around four months, usually one to four pups. Captive breeding happens in public aquariums but is rare in home tanks because of the space needed.

Good to know

The tail carries a venomous spine that can cause a very painful wound, so handle with care. It needs a large open sand floor, excellent water quality and tankmates that will not nip it.