Common name: Blotched fantail ray

General information

The Blotched Fantail Ray, scientifically known as Taeniurops meyeni, is a large and impressive species of stingray that is occasionally kept in public aquariums due to its size and requirements. It is known for its distinctive black blotches and spots on a gray to brownish background, which provides excellent camouflage against the sandy or rocky ocean floor.

This species is not commonly found in the home aquarium trade, primarily because of its potential size, reaching up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in disc width. It is a benthic dweller, often found resting on the substrate in the wild.

Care

Due to their large size and active nature, Blotched Fantail Rays require very large and spacious aquariums with a soft sandy bottom to prevent injury to their undersides. They are sensitive to water quality and require pristine conditions with efficient filtration systems. Their diet should consist of a variety of meaty foods such as mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish.

Reproduction

In the wild, Taeniurops meyeni is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young that have developed inside eggs within the mother's body. Reproduction in captivity is rare and requires a large, species-specific setup to accommodate the mating behavior and gestation of the female.

Habitat

Blotched Fantail Rays are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific Ocean. They inhabit coral reefs and adjacent sandy areas, typically at depths ranging from the intertidal zone to 60 meters (200 feet).