Cortez Stingray

Urobatis maculatus. The Cortez Round Ray is a member of the Urolophidae or Round Ray family, but can be found within the aquarium trade under a variety of common names including: Cortez Ray, Cortez Stingray, Spotted Round Stingray or Chocolate Chip Ray. Round rays are very similar to stingrays, as they both have an oval or near circular disc shape with pectoral fins that are continuous with the sides of the head. Cortez Round Rays have slender tails that are about half of the length of the disc, with large venomous spines. While they are not overly aggressive, they are potentially dangerous as their venomous tail spines can inflict a painful and slow to recover wound. The Cortez Round Ray is found living in warm temperate waters off the Pacific coast of Mexico and Baja California, where they tend to inhabit shallow sandy areas near rock formations or reefs. The shallow coastal waters that the Cortez Ray inhabits are full of small crustaceans and mollusk for the rays to feed on and have rocky formations to provide the ray cover from larger predators. Cortez Round Rays are born at approximately 5 inches in length and can grow to about 14 inches in length. The overall length of their body and tail combined can reach 14 to 16 inches in length, while the width of their disc typically reaches about 10 to 12 inches in diameter. Cortez Round Rays generally reach their adult size in about 2 to 3 years; however, they often grow more quickly in the aquarium environment where they receive regular feedings. The small size (for a ray) and overall hardiness of the Cortez Ray makes it suitable for large aquariums maintained by advanced aquarium hobbyists.