the rays i have owned have never used their stingers on me or their tankmates. Even when my aro harrased them they never used it. I think they use it as a last resort in general. There are obv rays that will use their stingers more readily. Pictures everywhere on the net of impaled fish. Not too many ppl get stung. But there are dumb ppl out there and accidents dont happen. I never feared my rays but i never messed around with them either. Just be careful and it will be fine