Myliobatis californica
| Identification | A large eagle-ray relative with broad, pointed pectoral “wings,” a raised head and a long whip-like tail. Olive to dark brown above, pale below. A powerful open-water swimmer. |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | 6 ft wingspan |
| Origin | Eastern Pacific (temperate) |
| Minimum Tank Size | 1000+ Gallon system / pond |
| Reef Compatibility | Not reef safe. A large mollusk and crustacean predator; needs a huge open sand-bottomed system. |
Behavior
A cool-water (temperate) ray that requires a chiller and an enormous tank or pond with a broad open sand bottom and no sharp decor. An active swimmer that crushes clams and crustaceans with plated teeth. A public-aquarium-scale animal, not for typical home tanks.
Diet & Feeding
Meaty foods — clams, mussels, shrimp, squid and chunks of fish, offered on the sand.
Cautions
Temperate species — needs cool water (a chiller), not tropical reef conditions. Grows to a 6-foot wingspan and carries a venomous tail barb. Expert / large-facility only.