Taeniura lymna

Datasheet

General Description:The Ribbontail stingray, scientifically known as Taeniura lymna, belongs to the Dasyatidae family. These delicate creatures can grow up to 35.0cm and are found in various locations such as the East and West Indian Ocean, Japan, The Red Sea, Indonesia, and the Central/West Pacific. Highly sensitive during transportation, they require an aquarium with a large sandy area.

Aquarium Suitability:Keeping the Ribbontail stingray requires experience, preparation, and extra care due to its delicate nature. It is not an easy species to maintain and demands a large tank of at least 3000 liters. Additionally, they need a varied diet consisting of squid, fish, mussel, crustacean, and krill.

Care and Hardiness:Being categorized as delicate, the Ribbontail stingray necessitates a tank primarily dedicated to their needs. They thrive best in an environment with a significant sandy substrate, which allows them to bury themselves. It is crucial to note their sensitivity during transportation and acclimatization to the aquarium.

Reef Suitability:Considered reef safe with caution, the Ribbontail stingray can be housed in a reef aquarium. However, it is essential to monitor their interactions carefully with any crustaceans present, as they pose a threat to smaller creatures like shrimp and crabs.

Aquarium Setup:Creating a suitable habitat for the Ribbontail stingray involves providing a large sandy area for burrowing. The tank must be spacious enough to accommodate their natural behaviors and offer a mix of hiding spots and open swimming areas. Maintaining stable water conditions with a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C, pH of 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity of 1.020-1.025 is crucial for their well-being.

Behaviour:The temperament of the Ribbontail stingray is unknown, indicating the need for careful observation and handling. They may exhibit unique behaviors in captivity, such as burying themselves in the sand or gliding gracefully through the water column.

Feeding and Diet:Feeding these stingrays a varied diet is essential for their health. They should be offered a mix of fish, larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, and small crustaceans like krill, mysis, and artemia. Ensuring a diverse diet replicates their natural feeding habits and promotes overall well-being.

Dimorphism:Information regarding dimorphism is not available for the Ribbontail stingray. However, captive reproduction of this species may involve careful monitoring and specialized breeding techniques to support their population in aquarium settings.

Habitat and Distribution:In the wild, Taeniura lymna can be found in the East and West Indian Ocean, Japan, The Red Sea, Indonesia, and the Central/West Pacific. Their natural habitat consists of sandy substrates where they can bury themselves and exhibit their natural behaviors. Maintaining a similar environment in captivity is crucial for their overall health and well-being.