Zoo database

Stingrays

Myliobatoidei spp.

Natural diet Stingrays

Fish
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Stingrays are a group of rays that are related to sharks, which have a wide range of opportunistic feeding strategies. Most stingrays feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans and sometimes small fish. Some stingrays are primarily benthic bottom feeders.

Feeding advice Stingrays

Feed quantity per day

1-2% of body weight

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 5 kg and eats 2% of its body weight, it will get

5 x 0.02 = 0.1 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Fish products
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.99 x 0.1 kg = 99 g fish products
0.01 x 0.1 kg = 1 g supplements

Diet suggestions

Not recommended

Live prey

Additional advice

Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
A general guideline is to feed stingrays smaller meals 2-3 times a day, providing only as much food as they can consume within a few minutes.
The suitable amount of food will depend on the size and species of the stingray, as well as the size of the tank or enclosure they are housed in.
The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
Make sure that the water quality parameters are maintained within pre-set ranges, as this is essential for proper welfare and health.

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

Poor water quality (can lead to ammonia poisoning)
Gill impairment
Iodine deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin E deficiency
Obesity

Species within this group

Cownose rays
Southern stingrays
Spotted eagle rays
Blue spotted rays
Leopard rays
Freshwater stingrays

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

DK Fish Eater Liquid

Haring IQF - 10 kg doos

Spiering IQF - 10 kg doos

Krabbetjes IQF - 15 kg doos

Marieke Post

Manager R&D & QA