Stingray tankmates

[Big Rob]

Hey, all. First post so just briefly my name is Rob, I've been into fish for years but just recently ended about a one year "aquarium fast" and set up a 125 gallon. Originally I planned on africans for this tank, but had a change of heart and am going to have a couple rays in it instead (I've kept them in the past and they were always my favourite!).

So, just yesterday I picked up a Hystrix Stingray and she's a beauty. Originally I was going to go with a motoro to start (that's what I had before) but after seeing this little doll I was in love, admittedly in part to her much lower price tag when compared to the motoro.

Anyways, I plan on acquiring either 1 or 2 more rays in the near future as I want the tank to be predominantly a stingray tank. I would however like to add a tankmate or two and would appreciate suggestions as to what it/they should be.

I know that arrowanas are often popular with rays, but I just don't really like them so they're out. I also want to stay away from discus.

So, other than the above mentioned two what would people suggest? I'm open to pretty much anything, and am hoping to find something that will not only get along peacefully with the rays, but look smashing next to them!

Thanks for any and all replies!

 

[Paul_MTS]

glad to have you aboard!!

first off what are the dimensions of the tank?

I think you could have 2 in there but i very much doubt 3.

i think geophagus Surimensis are a stunning coloured fish when 3" + and make great tank mates for rays picking up the food they won't eat. Sevrums are another choice, they also have awesome colours once older on either green or gold.

in with my 2 P. Reticulatus rays i have....

1 red tail arowana
1 oscar
3 sevrums
2 G. Surimensis
1 fire eel
1 tyre track eel
2 peacock eels
1 sengal bichir
1 ornate bichir
1 palmas bichir
1 black ghost knife fish
1 L52 plec

also a couple of catfish on the way!

this is a 210 US gallon tank.

is there anything you had in mine we can say yay or nay to!!??

 

[CFC]

For a start your tank is too small in the long term for any species of ray, if you are planning on upgrading then you can think about tankmates.

I have had good success keeping rays with Pimeloid catfish as well as various other rarer species of catfish (slope heads, bagrids and mystus) Cichlids, and bichirs.

IME rays can be mixed with anything that A) they cant eat, and B) cant eat or harm them.

 

[Big Rob]

My tank is 6' long, 1.5' wide and 2' high. So, I guess that's a 125 long? I have pool filter sand as the substrate and am aquascaping sparcely with driftwood anchored with live anubias plants (so no plant munching tankmates). Upgrading to a larger tank is always a possibility for me, bigger is always better, I just happened to get a good deal on the 125. Although realistically, it'll probably be at least a year or more before I consider anything larger.

I am heating with two 250 watt Ebo-Jagers and am filtering with two Filstar XP3's.

There, hopefully that will give ya a better idea. As for the yay or nay, as long as it ain't arowana (don't want a frigging 500 gallon!) or discus I'd consider it. The tank is at the foot of my bed, so I want a peaceful tank to sort of relax in front of.

 

[spAcE mOnkEy]

I think i heard somewhere that Pleco's will suck on the ray's slime coat and kill it. This does depend on the personality of the pleco though .

 

[Big Rob]

That's true. Actually, I once had a pleco kill a ray. Now, before I get shot, let me explain.

I had noticed that a pleco was harassing my motoro after acquiring a taste for his slime coat. I decided that warranted a one way ticket for him to my LFS. Ironically, I got on the phone with my fish guy (runs a great little store out of his basement) to let him know I'd be by soon with the pleco. Just as I'm speaking with him, the pleco gives chase and the ray flees. Well, wouldn't you know it, right before my friggin eyes, the ray drops dead from the exertion! Had a frigging heart attack or something! Died instantly! Serious! True, and unfortuate story!

 

[Paul_MTS]

you can house a asian arowana in a 180g (6x2x2) minimum 500g is a good sixe for a silver arowana but for asians, blacks and jardini arowanas 180g is minimum.

I keep my asian in a 210g 5x2.5x2 and this will be fine for his entire life, so maybe you want to re consider them.....

it would be interesting to know what plec that was that attacked your rays?

I'm successfully housing mine with a L52 plec at the moment who has no interest in the rays, glides over them to the real food!!

here's a very good site for ray info - http/www.freshwaterstingray.nl/Frames%20...ls/English.html it's well owrth reading the WHOLE site....packed full of ray goodness!

very sorry to hear about your loss though.

 

[CFC]

Thats quite sad.


The 125 will be ok for a couple of years as as im sure you know rays grow quite slowly only putting about 2 or 3 inches a year on their disc size, but at only 18 inches wide it will definately need upgrading to a tank with at least 30" width in the future.

Id keep any chosen tankmates to those that will have a adult size of above 6 inches or the rays might decide to make snacks of them, severums and Geophagus/Satanoperca species are usually a good choice as far as Cichlids go.

 

[Big Rob]

I think severums would be alright, but I've heard they have a taste for plants...

EDIT: Great site, Paul! Thanks for the link. The fish in the video of his tank, are those Geophagus Surimensis? (To see them, go to the site, click on "My tank", scroll about half way down and click on "tank today")

 

[Big Rob]

Sorry for the double post, peeps, I know on most forums that's a no no. But I've been picturing different combinations in my mind, and think I've come up with something I'd like, let me know what you think.

Alright, I was thinking one more stingray, probably a motoro, One black ghost knife, and a handful of quality angels.

Is this combo feasible? I've heard bad things about angels being carriers of some nasty stuff, but I've had angels housed with other species in the past with no problems. Although, given the price tags on rays, I'm a little hesitant to add a species of fish that is commonly thought of as a carrier of disease.

So, to sum it up: 1 Hystrix Stingray, 1 Motoro Stingray, 1 Black Ghost Knife, and hmmm.... say 5 or 6 angels?

Anyone see a problem with this? (Tank specifics can be see a few posts up).

Thanks so much for all the advice so far all. I haven't posted much yet, but I've read through many threads and it seems this forum is made up of a good group of helpful and friendly members. That's refreshing. For some reason fish people on other forums often seem so crabby with one another.

 

[Paul_MTS]

you got it G. Surimensis, gorgeous aren't they!!

housing a motoro with a hystrix could cause problems as hystrix aren't as agresive feeders as the motoro's so the hystrix may end up starving.

a BGK would be fine but sure about angels don't really see why not.

 

[Big Rob]

Yeah, they are eye catchers for sure! Unfortunately, as the tank is in the master bedroom, I kinda need the wife's approval on what fish go in this tank and she is extremely fussy (one those "why don't you do saltwater instead" kind of girls).

Never thought about the Motoro out competing the Hystrix for food, actually I wasn't aware they were more agressive feeders than the Hystrix. Makes sense though, as thus far the Hystrix hasn't been actively going after food. I think she's eating, but she sure ain't as enthusiastic about it as my Motoros used to be.

I guess I'll get a second Hystrix then. I was 99% sure the knife would be a good choice, but you think the angels are O.K. then? I shouldn't worry too much about them getting the rays sick?

EDIT: Wow, Paul. After a second look, I really like those Geophagus Surinamensis. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions....