Where Is It Legal to Own a Stingray As a Pet?
According to Fish Channel, it is legal to own a stringray as a pet in all states except Arizona, California, Texas, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, Oklahoma, Utah and Mississippi. Because there may be other regulations and restrictions on the legality of a specific species, prospective owners need to check with their local governments.
Because there are so many restrictions on buying and selling non-native species of stingrays, the easiest way to buy one is through the Internet. Native species are easier to obtain and are more likely to be legal.
The California stingray is one of the native species that are legal to own in most states. It is found largely in southern California, though it ranges from northern California all the way south to Panama. This fish is disc-shaped and comes in mottled brown and gray colors with a pale underside. It is unique for its true tail fin, rare among other species of stingrays, which has a spine on the end that is venomous.
These stingrays need to be fed a diet of meaty seafood, such as fish and shrimp. They need to be kept in a tank that holds at least 75 gallons of water, kept at a temperature between 54 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Although a stingray can be kept in a tank with other fish, it may eat smaller species.
