Southern stingray
Hypanus americanus · Also called: Raya látigo americana, raya, raya americana
Facts
- Diamond-shaped body, olive-brown to gray-green on top and cream underneath. The tail can be twice as long as the body and carries a sharp, toothed spine.[1]
- Stirs up the sand to find crabs, shrimp and small fish, and buries itself to hide.[1]
- Not aggressive, but it uses the tail spine to defend itself if stepped on. Watch where you put your feet and knees in sandy areas.[1]
- Harvest is banned in federal waters around Puerto Rico (beyond Puerto Rico's own waters).[2]
Where it's been reported (5)
From the sources on each dive site's page. Sightings are never guaranteed.
- Cayo Lobito · Culebra“resident nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, flamingo tongues and southern stingrays” (SSI (Scuba Schools International))
- Lana's Cove · Culebra“southern stingrays” (Culebra Divers via SSI Scubago / MyDiveGuide)
- Star · Guánica & La Parguera“Nassau grouper, lionfish, southern stingrays, nurse sharks, yellowfin goatfish” (Paradise Scuba & Snorkeling Center)
- Isla Verde Reef · San Juan & North Coast“spotted eagle ray and southern stingray” (Junta de Manejo Reserva Marina Arrecife de la Isla Verde / Arrecifes Pro Ciudad Inc. (hosted by DRNA))
- Playa Stella · West Coast“moray eels, lobster, nudibranchs, southern stingray” (Vantage Dive Club)
Sources
- Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus) species profile · Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Seasonal and Area Fishing Closures in the U.S. Caribbean · NOAA Fisheries (accessed 2026-10-22)
Last checked 2026-10-22