Spotted stingaree (Urolophus gigas) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Sinclair's stingaree (western form)
Family
Urolophidae (stingarees)
Origin
Southern Australia from Albany, Western Australia, to Lakes Entrance, Victoria, and northern Tasmania; seagrass and rocky reefs to 50 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
70 cm
Temperature
16–22°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
no

Care

Size: list 70 cm (article up to 80 cm). It reaches about 70 cm and needs a very large, long system: it is for public-aquarium-sized systems, not home aquaria. 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. Water: a temperate species. 16–22 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and SG 1.023–1.026 are general marine guidance. Behaviour: seems well suited to captive life. Shy by day, buried or hidden in seagrass and rocks. 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 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/Urolophusgigas). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly crustaceans. Offer chopped shrimp, crab, clam and worms.

Breeding

Gives birth to up to 13 live young nourished by uterine "milk".

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: eats crustaceans. Keep with peaceful cool-water fish.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.