Cownose Ray
Cownose rays are strong, social swimmers often seen moving together. Several have been born right here at Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter.
Open 11 am - 4 pm
Ray Bay
Interactive stingray touch tank in Citrus County
Ray Bay at Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter
Graceful, curious, and surprisingly gentle, the rays at Ray Bay offer one of the most interactive experiences at our indoor aquarium near Crystal River, Florida.
This unique touch tank gives guests the opportunity to get close to several ray species while learning how they move, feed, sense their surroundings, and contribute to healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Ray Bay is designed for connection and learning.
Follow the guidance of our aquarium team, move gently, and let the rays choose when to approach.
An Interactive Stingray Experience
At Ray Bay, guests do more than watch from behind glass. Under staff supervision, visitors can gently touch the rays as they glide through the shallow habitat and may also have the opportunity to participate in a ray feeding.
These close encounters encourage guests to slow down, observe each animal's behavior, and discover how different rays respond to their environment.
- Gentle touch: Learn the correct way to interact while protecting the animals' comfort and safety.
- Up-close observation: See the shape, movement, eyes, spiracles, and feeding behavior of rays from just inches away.
- Personal connection: Turn an animal that may seem unfamiliar into one guests understand and appreciate.
Busting the Stingray Myth
Stingrays are often misunderstood. While they do have natural defenses, they are not animals that seek out conflict with people. At Ray Bay, guests can observe their calm movement and curious behavior while learning why wild rays should always be given space and respect.
Defense, Not Aggression
A stingray's defensive structures are meant for protection. They are not used to hunt, and rays generally prefer to move away from a perceived threat.
Curious Individuals
Rays can learn routines, recognize feeding opportunities, and approach familiar areas of their habitat with confidence.
Respect in the Wild
Positive experiences in human care should also teach us to avoid chasing, crowding, touching, or disturbing wild rays.
Why Rays Matter
Rays are important members of marine ecosystems. Many search through sand and sediment for prey, helping influence shellfish populations and the activity of animals living on or beneath the seafloor.
Seafloor Specialists
Many rays are adapted to life near the bottom, where they uncover food and interact with habitats that are easy for people to overlook.
Part of the Food Web
Rays act as both predators and prey, connecting different levels of marine food webs.
Different Shapes, Different Roles
From schooling cownose rays to bottom-dwelling stingrays and guitarfish, each species is adapted for a different way of life.
Animals Worth Protecting
Healthy habitats, responsible fishing practices, and informed choices all help protect rays and the ecosystems they depend upon.
Meet the Rays of Ray Bay
Ray Bay is home to a variety of native and non-native rays. Species and individual visibility may vary because each animal chooses where to rest, swim, or interact within the habitat.
Atlantic Stingray
This Florida native is commonly associated with shallow coastal waters and can also enter brackish and freshwater habitats.
Diamond Ray
These sleek Pacific rays are named for the broad diamond-like shape formed by their pectoral fins.
Fiddler Ray
Sometimes called a banjo ray, this unusual animal has a body shape that visually bridges familiar rays and more shark-like forms.
Atlantic Guitarfish
Guitarfish are rays with flattened heads and shark-like tails, making them an excellent example of the diversity within sharks and rays.
Bluespotted Ray
This smaller, colorful ray is easily recognized by the brilliant blue spots and markings across its body.
Cownose Rays Born at Mertailor
Several cownose rays have been born at Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter, giving our team the opportunity to observe pregnancy, birth, early development, feeding, growth, and social behavior.
These births also create meaningful educational moments for guests, helping explain that rays are closely related to sharks and that different species reproduce in different ways.
- Ongoing observation of mothers and young rays
- Individual identification and recordkeeping
- Age-appropriate feeding and habitat management
- Long-term planning for space, social groups, and animal care
Add to Your Visit: Ray Feeding
Make your Ray Bay experience even more memorable with a ray feeding add-on when available.
Hand-Feed a Ray
Follow staff instructions as a ray approaches and takes food. This supervised experience gives guests a close look at the way rays locate, handle, and consume their meals.
Ask Our Team When You Arrive
Ray feeding availability may vary by day, animal needs, and operational conditions. Ask a team member about current opportunities during your visit.
Behind the Scenes: Caring for Our Rays
Every interaction guests enjoy at Ray Bay is supported by dedicated animal care behind the scenes. Our aquarists routinely monitor the health, behavior, appetite, and overall well-being of every ray in our collection.
Routine health examinations, diagnostic testing, and close observation help our team recognize changes early and make informed decisions for each animal. When additional evaluation or treatment is needed, we collaborate with aquatic veterinarians and other zoological professionals to provide specialized care.
- Routine wellness examinations and physical assessments
- Veterinary consultations and diagnostic testing when needed
- Daily monitoring of behavior, appetite, and body condition
- Species-appropriate nutrition and feeding records
- Water-quality, habitat, and life-support system monitoring
Ray Bay Questions
Can guests touch the stingrays?
Yes. Ray Bay is a supervised touch tank where guests can gently interact with the rays while following instructions from our aquarium team.
Can guests feed the rays?
A ray feeding add-on may be available during your visit. Ask our team about current options when you arrive.
Are stingrays aggressive?
Stingrays are generally not aggressive animals. They have natural defenses, but they usually prefer to move away from a threat rather than confront it.
What species can we see?
Ray Bay may feature cownose rays, Atlantic stingrays, diamond rays, fiddler rays, Atlantic guitarfish, and bluespotted rays.
Were any rays born at the aquarium?
Yes. Several cownose rays have been born at Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter.
Is Ray Bay included with admission?
Ray Bay is part of the aquarium experience. Optional feeding activities may require an additional purchase.
Will every ray approach guests?
Not necessarily. Each ray is an individual and chooses when to swim near the interaction area, rest, or move elsewhere in the habitat.
Where is the aquarium located?
Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter is located at 4100 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461, in Citrus County near Crystal River.
Experience Ray Bay Near Crystal River, Florida
Plan a visit to Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter and discover Ray Bay, sharks, touch tanks, marine exhibits, and live underwater mermaid shows in one indoor Citrus County attraction.
Mertailor's Mermaid Aquarium Encounter
4100 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461