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Definition of teacup stingray
teacup stingray
Plural:teacup stingrays
• noun
1
A commercial trade name used in the aquarium industry for juvenile freshwater stingrays (typically species from the genus Potamotrygon native to South American river systems) that are sold when they are roughly the size of a teacup.
Example
"Many novice aquarists purchase a teacup stingray without realizing that the animal will eventually outgrow a standard home aquarium."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term is widely considered misleading in the aquarium trade; 'teacup' describes the size of the juvenile ray at the time of sale, rather than a permanently small species, as these animals inevitably grow to require massive enclosures.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Teacup stingray. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/teacup%20stingray