Description

Quick Stats

Description

The California Round Ray (Urobatis halleri), also known as the Haller’s Round Ray, is a fascinating species of stingray that requires expert care in the home aquarium. This small, round-bodied ray is found along the sandy bottoms of coastal waters, particularly off the coast of California, and is known for its beautifully speckled tan and brown coloration that provides camouflage in its natural habitat. Due to its size and specific care needs, the California Round Ray is best suited for large, species-specific tanks with a minimum size of 180 gallons. It is not reef compatible, as it can easily disturb or damage delicate corals and invertebrates while foraging in the sand. The ray requires a soft, sandy substrate to prevent damage to its delicate underbelly and will often bury itself partially in the sand to rest or hide. A carnivorous species, the California Round Ray feeds on a variety of meaty foods in the wild, such as small fish, shrimp, and crustaceans. In captivity, it should be provided with a diet of similarly chopped fresh or frozen meaty foods, such as squid, shrimp, and silversides. It is important to feed this species small meals multiple times a day to meet its nutritional needs. The California Round Ray can be semi-aggressive, particularly if housed with smaller or more passive tankmates. Therefore, it should only be housed with other large, similarly aggressive species in a large, well-filtered aquarium system. Given its size, semi-aggressive temperament, and sensitive care requirements, this species is recommended only for expert aquarists with significant experience maintaining large marine systems. In summary, the California Round Ray is a stunning and unique species that can thrive in the right environment. However, its care demands, space requirements, and feeding habits make it suitable only for experienced aquarists who can provide the proper care and habitat.