The ocellated eagle ray is a big, graceful ray covered in white spots. Watching one "fly" through the water is one of the nicest sights in an aquarium. It's happiest in a group and shares a tank well with Javanese cownose rays.
Water
- Salt water
- About 1 m water height
- Temperature 24–27 °C
That 24–27 °C range is narrower than many reef fish, so set the habitat temperature to fit it. 26 °C works with clownfish, surgeonfish and bannerfish too.
Group
Eagle rays need a bigger group than two to thrive. Each ray adds to the minimum space, so plan a roomy tank.
Floor and decoration
- Fine sand to bury in.
- Keep the tank fairly open. Rays need swimming room.
Enrichment
A forage tray works for them, just like the cownose rays.
Tankmates
- Javanese cownose rays are the perfect partner. Same water height, same salinity, same temperature.
- They fit in reef tanks with clownfish, surgeonfish and bannerfish, as long as the temperature stays at 24–27 °C.
- The hawksbill turtle's range (22–30 °C) overlaps too.
Rescue and recovery
In a roleplay-style zoo, a rescue or recovery pool is a nice touch. Keep unwell rays in a separate recovery pool with clean water until they're healthy, then move them to the main tank. Quarantine new arrivals the same way.
Tips
- A shallow ray pool with a ramp at the back (deep for the gate, shallow at the front) lets you build a touch pool for both ray species.
- Ocellated eagle rays look great next to an underwater viewing window. Put benches there.