Stingrays

Myliobatoidei spp.

Natural diet Stingrays

Stingrays are a group of rays that are related to sharks, which have a wide range of opportunistic feeding strategies. Most stingrays feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans and sometimes small fish. Some stingrays are primarily benthic bottom feeders.

Fish
Fish
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Feeding advice Stingrays

Feed quantity per day

1-2%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 5 kg and eats 2% of its body weight, it will get
 
5 x 0,02 = 0,1 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Fish products
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0,99 x 0,1 kg = 99 g fish products
0,01 x 0,1 kg = 1 g supplements


Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of fish, crustaceans and invertebrates

Supplements

Not recommended

Live prey


Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Poor water quality (can lead to ammonia poisoning)
  • Gill impairment
  • Iodine deficiency
  • Vitamin A deficiency
  • Vitamin D deficiency
  • Vitamin E deficiency
  • Obesity

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • A general guideline is to feed stingrays smaller meals 2-3 times a day, providing only as much food as they can consume within a few minutes.
  • The suitable amount of food will depend on the size and species of the stingray, as well as the size of the tank or enclosure they are housed in.
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • Make sure that the water quality parameters are maintained within pre-set ranges, as this is essential for proper welfare and health.

Species within this group

  • Cownose rays
  • Southern stingrays
  • Spotted eagle rays
  • Blue spotted rays
  • Leopard rays
  • Freshwater stingrays