This is the second successful captive birth of a porcupine ray at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. We are pleased to announce that the public can now see the baby ray.

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  Baby porcupine ray (On the day of its birth)

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  Its rearing pool viewed from the Exploring the Kuroshio Sea gallery

In 2022, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium succeeded in the world’s first captive breeding of a porcupine ray, and now this is the second birth(Born September 4th, 2024).
The birth weight of the baby born this year is the same as the birth weight in 2022. The new baby is growing well, and can be observed from the Exploring the Kuroshio Sea above-water observation course.

Number of exhibit

female　Width and weight at birth: 50.0 cm :13.3 kg

Place of exhibit

Exploring the Kuroshio sea (above-water observation course)
8:30～11:00（10:45）、17:30~Aquarium closes (Last admission is until 15min before the aquarium closes)　
※Viewing of the baby porcupine ray from the Exploring the Kuroshio Sea above-water observation course is possible before 11:00 and after 17:30, to allow for animal healthcare.

*Exhibit may close depending on the condition of the animals.

Mother porcupine ray

Protrusions on its body

≪イバラエイ≫
Scientific name：Urogymnus asperrimus
English name：Porcupine ray

Porcupine rays are distributed across subtropical and tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. In Japan, they are found around the Yaeyama Islands and Ogasawara Islands. They inhabit the continental shelf, coral reefs, sandy and gravel areas. They have no venomous spine at the end of their tail, but are covered with small quill-like protrusions on their dorsal side from where they get their name.

　There are few cases of captive rearing of this rare species, and knowledge of its reproduction is limited. Through successful birth and captive rearing including this case, we were able to gain insight into the gestation period, initial stage of feeding and optimal water temperature. By gathering scientific knowledge through breeding and exhibition, this facility will continue to shed light on the ecology of this species and ex-situ conservation.