Spotted round ray explained

Urobatis maculatus, known as the spotted round ray or Cortez round stingray, is a species of round ray, within the genus Urobatis, and of the family Urotrygonidae.[1] It is endemic to Mexico, with its natural habitats being shallow seas, subtidal aquatic beds, coral reefs, estuarine waters, intertidal marshes, and coastal saline lagoons.

Spotted round rays reach a length of 42cm (17inches) TL. The spotted round ray is ideal for captivity due to its hardiness and smaller size, and it is also a favorable candidate for breeding in aquaria.[2] It can be kept in a minimum 180 gallon aquarium with fine substrate, little décor, a bottom with much surface area (for sufficient swimming space), excellent filtration, protected internal tank equipment like heaters and filter intakes (by surrounding them with polyurethane foam barriers), and a secure lid. In the aquarium trade, it may be confused with the Round stingray, Urobatis halleri, which in the hobby may be called the Cortez ray as well.[3]

The spotted round ray can be parasitized by the flatworm Pleorchis magniporus.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Moral-Flores . L.F.D. . Angulo . A. . López . M.I. . Bussing . W.A. . 2015 . A new species of Urobatis (Myliobatiformes: Urotrygonidae) from the tropical Eastern Pacific . Revista de Biología Tropical . 63 . 2 . 501–514 . 10.15517/rbt.v63i2.15746. free. 10669/75287 . free .
  2. Book: Michael, Scott . Aquarium Sharks & Rays . T.F.H Publications, Inc. . 2001 . Neptune City, NJ.
  3. (2010): cortez/round stingray care | Saltwaterfish.com. https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/index.php?threads/cortez-round-stingray-care.382407/. In: Saltwaterfish.com. https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/index.php
  4. Aldo Iván . Merlo-Serna . Luis . García-Prieto . A checklist of helminth parasites of Elasmobranchii in Mexico . ZooKeys . 73–128 . 15 Feb 2016 . 563 . 10.3897/zookeys.563.6067 . 4797213 . 27047240. free .