tail spikes?

[sbuse]

do all stingrays have tail spikes? if not witch don't?

are they capable of stinging?

 

[FishDog]

Are you talking about the spikes that run down the back of the tail? If so then I believe the Retic is the only one that does not have them. All the other rays I have seen do. The brown rays tend to have a single row where tigers, flowers, and black rays have multiple rows. They are not capable of stinging with them just with the larger stinger. They say if you step on them the spikes on there tail can cut the bottom of your foot like a saw blade when the ray takes off. Have only heard that not witnessed.

 

[sbuse]

Are you talking about the spikes that run down the back of the tail? If so then I believe the Retic is the only one that does not have them. All the other rays I have seen do. The brown rays tend to have a single row where tigers, flowers, and black rays have multiple rows. They are not capable of stinging with them just with the larger stinger. They say if you step on them the spikes on there tail can cut the bottom of your foot like a saw blade when the ray takes off. Have only heard that not witnessed.

yes the ones on the back of the tail....that is what i thought...as for the retics being the only ones that don't have them...i have 3 rays...2 retics no spikes one new ray that most are saying retic, but it has spikes so i am confused...

 

[Zoodiver]

Those raised 'spikes' along the tail are actually modified denticals (ray/shark version of scales) called "tubercles".

 

[naser90096]

Those raised 'spikes' along the tail are actually modified denticals (ray/shark version of scales) called "tubercles".

what's the function of the tubercles..?? can they do harm to us if scratched??

sometimes i see fungus growing on them, espcially the newly acquired ones ... some in my friend's pond too ... probably due to poor water management ...

 

[killarbb]

my retic has some of the tubercles. not many but there are a few

 

[sbuse]

2 of my 3 retics don't have them, but my new one does...i was confused on the id of the new ray cause i thought retics didn't have them

 

[spotfin]

Retics will get them as they grow larger. Right now, my smallest hystrix and retic don't have any.

 

[sbuse]

Retics will get them as they grow larger. Right now, my smallest hystrix and retic don't have any.

how big are they?...do you have larger ones with?

 

[spotfin]

how big are they?...do you have larger ones with?

The retic is about 3 1/4", the hystrix an inch larger. The other 2 hystrix are 6-7" and both have tail spikes. The 6" one didn't have the spikes when I bought her last spring.