Cowtail stingray (Pastinachus sephen) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Feathertail stingray, Banana-tail ray, Drab stingray, Fantail ray, Frill-tailed stingray
Family
Dasyatidae (whiptail stingrays)
Origin
Tropical Indo-Pacific from South Africa and the Red Sea to Japan and Australia; sandy bottoms and reefs to 60 m, also estuaries and rivers.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
183 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Care level
expert
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

Size: It reaches about 183 cm and needs a very large, long system: it is for public-aquarium-sized systems, not home aquaria. The article gives up to 3 m long and 250 kg. Like other whiptail stingrays it needs a sand bed and minimal decor. Water: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity SG 1.023–1.026. These are general marine aquarium figures for a tropical species, not species-specific values from the sources. Keep nitrate low and oxygen high. Safety: the tail carries a venomous, serrated spine. A sting is very painful, though rarely dangerous to life. Never handle the ray by hand, net it with care, and get medical advice if stung. Its tail can whip over its back, so it is especially dangerous to handle. Conservation: the article says populations are under pressure from fishing for leather and meat, but gives no IUCN category. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastinachussephen). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Bony fish, crustaceans, worms and molluscs. Feed chopped fish, squid and shellfish in large systems.

Breeding

Gives birth to live young nourished by uterine "milk", at least 18 cm across at birth.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: eats fish and invertebrates. Not suitable for home aquaria.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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