Lesser electric ray (Narcine bancroftii) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Brazilian electric ray, Small electric ray, Spotted torpedo ray, Torpedofish, Trembler
Family
Narcinidae (numbfishes)
Origin
Western Atlantic from North Carolina to north-eastern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean; surf zones of sandy or muddy beaches to 55 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
100 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
no

Care

Size: the list gives 100 cm, but the article gives about 45 cm long and 20 cm wide. The list suggests at least 70 US gallons (about 265 litres) and a 6 cm sand bed; because of the list size we give no minimum tank figure, so confirm the adult size of any fish offered. 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: nocturnal, resting buried by day and digging for food at night. A slow swimmer. It can be kept with its own kind. Safety: electric organs in the disc can deliver a painful shock. Do not handle it by hand, use plastic tools and nets, and take extra care with large adults. Its organs produce about 14–37 volts and it may shock tankmates. Conservation: IUCN Least Concern. 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/Narcinebancroftii). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly polychaete worms, plus other worms, young snake eels, anemones, small fish and crustaceans. Feed live worms; it is hard to wean onto other foods.

Breeding

Females mature at about two years and can produce up to 20 live young at once.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: eats worms, small fish and crustaceans and digs in the sand. Can live with its own kind but may shock other fish.

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

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