Sting Rays in Gran Canaria : A Diver’s Guide to These Majestic Creatures in the Canary Islands

Common Sting Ray hiding in the Meteor ship wreck.

Discover the Sting Rays that Inhabit the waters of Gran Canaria and learn how to identify them.

Hello, everyone! It’s Scott from GO DIVING here, and we’re back with another look at the amazing animals that call these waters home.

We are blessed with incredible biodiversity—enough to be the envy of the rest of Europe. Our ray species are among the most impressive, from the common stingray to the enormous manta rays. Here in the Canary Islands, we have incredible opportunities to witness spectacular marine wildlife up close.

And on that note, I’d like to welcome one of our resident local divers to talk to us a little more about these amazing animals and share some fascinating insights. Shaun, take it away!

Thanks, Scott! Hi everyone, I’m Shaun.

The Canary Islands, known for their stunning beaches and vibrant marine life, offer a unique opportunity to encounter one of the ocean’s most graceful creatures: the stingray. These fascinating animals are a highlight for many scuba divers exploring the waters around the Canaries. Let’s dive into the world of stingrays and discover why they are such a captivating part of the underwater experience.

Stingrays hide in the sand until disturbed

Understanding Stingrays, What is a Sting Ray, and Why do People Struggle to Identify Them?.

Stingrays are cartilaginous fish related to sharks and skates. They are known for their flat bodies and long, whip-like tails, which are equipped with venomous spines used for defense. Despite their intimidating appearance, stingrays are generally peaceful creatures that prefer to avoid contact with humans. Divers often confuse the different types of rays and stingrays and even use the term to mean all rays and visa versa.

So As you can see, identifying rays can be challenging, even within different groups. Divers, dive centers, and enthusiastic ray fans often misidentify or incorrectly label them, sometimes confusing native species with non-native ones. The field of ray classification is constantly evolving, with species names changing as research advances and our understanding grows about the regions some rays visit etc. With that in mind, I’ve taken the time to look deeply at the local and less-common ray species in the Canary Islands, in hopes of providing a clearer picture for us all. Let’s take a closer look!

So Now We Know What a Stingray is, I Have a Question For You all...IS A BUTTERFLY RAY A STINGRAY?

If you are a diver—especially one who has dived in the Canary Islands—you may have been lucky enough to see one of these amazing animals. We are going to take a closer look at the stingrays we see in Gran Canaria and find out the answer.

Species in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are home to several species of stingrays. Let’s explore them a little more.

1. Common Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca)

Common Stingray

One of the most frequently encountered stingrays in the Canary Islands. This ray is often called the Yellow stingray in error.

Medium-sized, with a diamond-shaped body and a long, whip-like tail equipped with a venomous barb.

Typically reaches around 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) in width, though larger individuals have been recorded.

Habitat & Behavior:

• Prefers sandy seabeds, seagrass beds, and rocky reef areas at depths of 5 to 60 meters.

• Often seen partially buried in the sand, waiting to ambush small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

• Despite their venomous spines, they are not aggressive and will usually flee when approached.

2. Round Fantail Stingray (Current scientific name - Taeniura grabata)

Round Fantail Ray photo from Sharks and Rays .com. Note the round fan at the tail.

Also known wrongly locally as the “Round stingray”, a term more associated with an Asian ray, this term is used a lot on local dive center websites. This Ray features a nearly circular pectoral fin disc and a short tail. The dorsal side is dark gray to brown, often with darker spots, while the underside is white.

Size: Typically grows up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) across and 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in length, though individuals up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) have been reported.

• Habitat: Inhabits sandy, muddy, rocky coastal areas, often found between 15 and 30 meters depth.

• Behavior: Feeds on fishes and crustaceans found on the sea floor. During the day, it can often be found partially buried in sediment or resting under ledges.

2. Roughtail Stingray (Commonly classified as Dasyatis centroura)

Rough tail Sting Ray with its rough tail clearly visible on the sand.

The largest stingrays found in the Canary Islands, capable of reaching over 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in width.

Has a thick, rounded body covered in rough tubercles (small bumps), giving it a “rough tail” appearance.

Possesses a long tail armed with multiple venomous spines.

Habitat & Behavior:

• Found at a range of depths, from 10 meters down to over 200 meters.

• Prefers sandy and muddy bottoms, often seen near shipwrecks and reefs.

• Occasionally observed feeding in shallow areas, stirring up the sand to uncover prey.

• Can be more defensive than other stingrays due to its size and powerful tail.

Are There Other Stingray Species in the Canary Islands?

The above species are the most commonly reported true stingrays, but ongoing research suggests that other species may occasionally pass through the region, especially given the Canary Islands’ location in the Atlantic Ocean. Some deep-sea stingrays may also be present but are rarely observed by divers. So here are some others that get reported in our waters.

1. Marbled Stingray (Hemitrygon margaritella)

A suspected Marbled

A relatively rare stingray species in the Canary Islands, but occasionally sighted by divers. Recognisable by its unique marbled pattern on the dorsal (upper) side of its body.

Typically grows up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in width.

Habitat & Behavior:

• Found on sandy seabeds and rocky reefs at depths of 10 to 80 meters.

• Feeds primarily on benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms such as shrimp, worms, and small fish.

• Its camouflage helps it avoid predators, including large sharks.

2. Dwarf Stingray (Neotrygon spp. - exact species uncertain currently)

A small species of stingray that is rarely seen but may inhabit deeper waters.

Typically under 50 cm (1.6 feet) in width, making it one of the smallest stingrays in the region. Has a round body with a long, thin tail.

Habitat & Behavior:

• Lives in deeper waters, usually below 30 meters, on sandy or muddy seabeds.

• Feeds on tiny crustaceans, worms, and small fish.

• Due to its small size and elusive nature, little is known about its behavior in the Canary Islands.

3. Yellow Stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis)

This name is often given to other Rays in the area like the Common Sting Ray in error, However ironicly the real Yellow ray has been sighted in the Canari islands. The Yellow Sting Ray is a native to the Americas that has been seen and caught by fisherman with some photos from the canary islands. Features a round pectoral fin disc and a short tail with a well-developed caudal fin. The dorsal side has a highly variable but distinctive pattern, often yellow-colored.

Size: Typically smaller than other stingrays, with disc widths up to 36 cm (14 inches).

• Habitat: Prefers sandy, muddy, or seagrass bottoms in shallow inshore waters.

• Behavior: Feeds on small invertebrates and fishes. Often remains motionless or partially buried in the sand.

• Reproduction: Aplacental viviparous, giving birth to live young..

How to Identify a True Stingray vs. Other Rays

Many divers mistake other types of rays for stingrays, so here’s how to tell the difference:

Feature	True Stingrays (e.g., Common Stingray)	Other Rays (e.g., Eagle Rays, Manta Rays)
Tail	Long, whip-like, with venomous spines	Shorter, no venomous spines
Body Shape	Flattened, round or diamond-shaped	More elongated, wing-like pectoral fins
Behavior	Often found resting on the seabed	Swims freely in mid-water

So is a Butterfly Ray a Stingray?

Now we have spoken a little bit about how to tell stingrays and other ray species apart, lets look at the amazing butterfly ray, is it a sting ray?. This ray is often called a stingray, but it isn’t one?.

While it looks similar, it lacks a venomous barb and is more closely related to eagle rays and has its own family, So no a butterfly ray is NOT A TRUE STING RAY!.

Where to Find Stingrays

Stingrays can be found in various habitats around the Canary Islands, from shallow sandy bottoms to deeper reefs. Gran Canaria, known for its diverse underwater landscapes, is a great place to see virtually all of the local stingray species. Some of our favorite dive sites include:

• Pasito Blanco Reef: Go Diving’s house reef, often frequented by multiple ray species—so much so that locals call it “Chucho”, the Spanish word for stingray!

• The Meteor Shipwreck: Lying 15 meters below the surface, this wreck sits on a sandy bottom where large butterfly rays and bull rays are commonly seen.

• The Artificial Reef: A set of steel and concrete blocks at 22 meters depth, attracting species like common stingrays, butterfly rays, electric rays, and bull rays.

Diving with Stingrays: ARE THEY DANGEROUS ?

Scuba diving with stingrays is an exhilarating experience, but they are a very calm and gentle group of animals that stay away from divers and pose NO RISK if left alone. Here are some tips to make the most of your encounter:

• Respect Their Space: Move slowly and avoid sudden movements.

• Observe from a Distance: Stingrays are docile, but do have spines if threatened.

• Capture the Moment: Bring an underwater camera but avoid flash photography.

Conservation Efforts

Stingrays face various threats, including habitat destruction and overfishing. As divers, we can help protect them by:

• Practicing Responsible Diving: Minimise our impact on marine life.

• Supporting Conservation Organisations: Donate to groups working to protect stingrays.

• Educating Others: Share knowledge about stingrays and marine conservation.

Conclusion

Encountering stingrays in the Canary Islands is an unforgettable experience that offers a glimpse into the wonders of the underwater world. By understanding and respecting these fascinating creatures, we can help ensure their survival for future generations to enjoy. So, gear up and dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Canaries to discover the magic of stingrays for yourself!

Thanks, Shaun!

It’s been great to learn more about these incredible animals, And we have defiently learned a thing or two. A big thanks to Shaun for joining us here at GO DIVING and sharing his article with us all..

If you’re interested in seeing these amazing animals up close, join us at GO DIVING for an unforgettable adventure in the Canary Islands. Our experienced guides ensure a safe and thrilling diving experience.

Contact us today to book your next dive!

Thanks, everyone!

Scott Finch

GO DIVING