Leopard round stingray (Urobatis pardalis) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Central American round stingray, Costa Rican round stingray
Family
Urotrygonidae (round rays)
Origin
Tropical eastern Pacific from Costa Rica to Colombia; reefs, seagrass and sandy shelf from the intertidal zone to about 20 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
46.2 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
760 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
no
Lifespan
8–12 years years

Care

Tank: floor area matters far more than height. Give a deep bed of fine, smooth sand (at least 5 cm) to bury in, little or no rockwork, guarded heaters and pump intakes, a tight lid, and strong filtration and aeration, as rays are messy feeders. Avoid copper-based treatments, which rays and their relatives tolerate poorly. The article suggests at least 200 US gallons (about 760 litres) for one ray, with plenty of swimming room and heavy filtration. 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. Behaviour: probably nocturnal, often resting still on reefs by day. Probably hardy in captivity. Adults reach about 30 cm across and 800 g. 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. Conservation: the article 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/Urobatispardalis). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Shrimps, small crabs, small fish and worms in the wild. Offer chopped shrimp, squid, fish and worms with feeding tongs.

Breeding

Gives birth to live young after the eggs develop inside the mother (ovoviviparous). Matures in 2–3 years.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: eats shrimps, crabs, worms and small fish. Keep with larger, peaceful fish.

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

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