Coral Reef

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Blue Spotted Ribbontail Stingray (Taeniura lymma)

Pro

Pro

Description

A stunning benthic ray known for its electric-blue spots and vivid tail ribbon. While visually striking, it is highly sensitive to captivity and best left to expert-level marine keepers or public aquaria.

Difficulty Level

Expert Only

Region

Blue Spotted Ribbontail Stingray (Taeniura lymma)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Extremely sensitive to stress, space, and water quality. Needs a large, specialized setup with fine substrate and low aggression.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Often wild-caught from Indo-Pacific reefs. Captive-bred availability is rare. Handle with care and avoid if unsure about proper setup.

Origin
Found across shallow lagoons and sandy reef flats of the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, Maldives, and northern Australia.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Flat disc-shaped body with neon blue spots and a flowing tail ribbon. Graceful, undulating movement across sandbeds makes it a mesmerizing display animal.

Purpose
Primarily kept as a specialty show animal in large marine exhibits. Adds drama, rarity, and motion to public aquariums or advanced home setups.

Importance
Inexperienced aquarists often underestimate its care needs. Ideal for those building custom ray tanks or species-specific enclosures with sand flats.

Included Resources
Requires ultra-fine aragonite sand, minimal sharp décor, powerful skimmer, UV sterilizer, and soft corners or open-bottom tanks. Lid must be secure—can leap.

Best Use Cases
Best suited for custom ray-specific systems, public aquaria, or high-end FOWLR displays. Not compatible with reef tanks or most standard marine setups.

Conservation Context
Collected for aquarium and food trade. Vulnerable in certain regions due to habitat degradation and overharvest. Ethical sourcing is critical.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Other non-aggressive rays
• Large, peaceful angelfish
• Small sharks (like epaulette)
• Avoid triggers, puffers, or stinging inverts

Region (A)
• Latitude: 20.5240° N
• Longitude: 57.6359° E
(Masirah Island, Oman – northern Indian Ocean reef flats)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 16.8661° S
• Longitude: 145.7781° E
(Cairns, Australia – Great Barrier Reef shallows)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Blue Spotted Ribbontail Stingray (Taeniura lymma)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Extremely sensitive to stress, space, and water quality. Needs a large, specialized setup with fine substrate and low aggression.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Often wild-caught from Indo-Pacific reefs. Captive-bred availability is rare. Handle with care and avoid if unsure about proper setup.

Origin
Found across shallow lagoons and sandy reef flats of the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, Maldives, and northern Australia.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Flat disc-shaped body with neon blue spots and a flowing tail ribbon. Graceful, undulating movement across sandbeds makes it a mesmerizing display animal.

Purpose
Primarily kept as a specialty show animal in large marine exhibits. Adds drama, rarity, and motion to public aquariums or advanced home setups.

Importance
Inexperienced aquarists often underestimate its care needs. Ideal for those building custom ray tanks or species-specific enclosures with sand flats.

Included Resources
Requires ultra-fine aragonite sand, minimal sharp décor, powerful skimmer, UV sterilizer, and soft corners or open-bottom tanks. Lid must be secure—can leap.

Best Use Cases
Best suited for custom ray-specific systems, public aquaria, or high-end FOWLR displays. Not compatible with reef tanks or most standard marine setups.

Conservation Context
Collected for aquarium and food trade. Vulnerable in certain regions due to habitat degradation and overharvest. Ethical sourcing is critical.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Other non-aggressive rays
• Large, peaceful angelfish
• Small sharks (like epaulette)
• Avoid triggers, puffers, or stinging inverts

Region (A)
• Latitude: 20.5240° N
• Longitude: 57.6359° E
(Masirah Island, Oman – northern Indian Ocean reef flats)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 16.8661° S
• Longitude: 145.7781° E
(Cairns, Australia – Great Barrier Reef shallows)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Blue Spotted Ribbontail Stingray (Taeniura lymma)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Extremely sensitive to stress, space, and water quality. Needs a large, specialized setup with fine substrate and low aggression.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Often wild-caught from Indo-Pacific reefs. Captive-bred availability is rare. Handle with care and avoid if unsure about proper setup.

Origin
Found across shallow lagoons and sandy reef flats of the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, Maldives, and northern Australia.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Flat disc-shaped body with neon blue spots and a flowing tail ribbon. Graceful, undulating movement across sandbeds makes it a mesmerizing display animal.

Purpose
Primarily kept as a specialty show animal in large marine exhibits. Adds drama, rarity, and motion to public aquariums or advanced home setups.

Importance
Inexperienced aquarists often underestimate its care needs. Ideal for those building custom ray tanks or species-specific enclosures with sand flats.

Included Resources
Requires ultra-fine aragonite sand, minimal sharp décor, powerful skimmer, UV sterilizer, and soft corners or open-bottom tanks. Lid must be secure—can leap.

Best Use Cases
Best suited for custom ray-specific systems, public aquaria, or high-end FOWLR displays. Not compatible with reef tanks or most standard marine setups.

Conservation Context
Collected for aquarium and food trade. Vulnerable in certain regions due to habitat degradation and overharvest. Ethical sourcing is critical.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Other non-aggressive rays
• Large, peaceful angelfish
• Small sharks (like epaulette)
• Avoid triggers, puffers, or stinging inverts

Region (A)
• Latitude: 20.5240° N
• Longitude: 57.6359° E
(Masirah Island, Oman – northern Indian Ocean reef flats)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 16.8661° S
• Longitude: 145.7781° E
(Cairns, Australia – Great Barrier Reef shallows)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Blue Spotted Ribbontail Stingray (Taeniura lymma)

Region

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