Red stingray (Hemitrygon akajei) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Japanese red stingray, Brown stingray, Japanese stingray, Estuary stingaree, Whip stingray, Dasyatis akajei (old name)
Family
Dasyatidae (whiptail stingrays)
Origin
North-west Pacific: Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan; shallow sand and mud, bays, reefs and estuaries.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
200 cm
Temperature
15–25°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 200 cm and needs a very large, long system: it is for public-aquarium-sized systems, not home aquaria. Most are under 1 m. Water: the list gives 15–25 °C. pH 8.1–8.4 and SG 1.023–1.026 are general marine guidance. 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: IUCN Near Threatened, owing to fishing and slow breeding. 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/Hemitrygonakajei). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly crustaceans, then small fish and worms. Feed chopped shrimp, fish and squid in large systems.

Breeding

Gives birth to live young, from 1 up to 10 per litter.

Compatibility and tank mates

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

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

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