Yellow stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Yellow-spotted ray, Round ray, Maid ray, Urolophus jamaicensis (old name)
Family
Urotrygonidae (round rays)
Origin
Tropical western Atlantic from North Carolina to Trinidad, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean; sand, mud and seagrass near reefs to about 25 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
76 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
no
Lifespan
15–25 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 list and article give at least 180 US gallons (about 680 litres). The list size of 76 cm is total length including tail (disc up to about 36 cm), so plan for a long-term system of that size or larger. 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: adapts well and is widely available. Fairly inactive by day, often buried. It may lift its disc to make a shaded "cave" that draws prey in. 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; threats include bycatch, the aquarium trade and habitat damage. 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/Urobatisjamaicensis). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Small invertebrates such as shrimps, worms and clams, plus small fish. Offer chopped shrimp, clam, squid and fish with feeding tongs.

Breeding

Has bred in aquaria. Gives birth to live young: up to seven per litter, two litters a year, after 5–6 months. Males mature at 15–16 cm disc width, females at about 20 cm.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: eats any small fish, shrimp or crab it can catch. Keep with large, peaceful fish.

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

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