Stingrays

[1152 Flying Fish]

Does any one have or know how rare fresh water sting rays are to find. Trying to get a couple. Just need more info first.

 

[cichlidmaster]

The hardest ray to come by is probably the "pearl ray"!!

When available it retails for around $2-3000.00 for a 6" specimen.

Most ray's such as motoros, hystrix, laticeps, leopoldi, retics are easily available.

It just depends on what you are willing to spend!!

Do a search of freshwater stingrays and you will find a wealth of information.

There are a few dedicated stingray dealers online that are very reputable dealers!!

Motoros start at around $100.00 for a small specimen and are very nice!!

What species are you looking for??

 

[Eelzor]

I have a small question regarding this, are there any small stingrays that maybe fit in a small tank?

Edit: And is there a ray that doesn't sting that you can fit in a tank?

 

[cichlidmaster]

The smallesttank that should be used to house a ray is one with a base of 48x18!!

Height is not an issue as rays do not need a high tank, but it should be a minimum of 18" high!!

Rays are very easy to keep!! Their only requirement is PERFECT water conditions...0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 0 nitrate at all times!!

I received my rays on Monday and already did a 30%water change on their tanks last night!!

You must also remove all uneaten food within a half hour of it being uneaten. this ensures the food does not have a chance to in anyway pollute the water.

As for "stinging" rays do not go out of their way to use their barbs!! Rays are actually quite peaceful by nature.

Most ray stings happen because their owner is careless and does not pay attention while their hands are in the tank!!

Rays are quite quick....when my rays arrived and I was preparing to place them in their tank....I thought I would be able to pick them up by hand as this is how most ray keepers do it.

Well I got the first ray up and out of the box and it was a good thing I was watching it's tail because it swung it's tail around and almost got me. I was able to place it back in the box before this happened.

Out came the nets!!!!!!

As long as one is always watchful and does not let themselves gey distracted, one should not worry about getting stung.

These are my first rays, and although I have been keeping fish for a VERY long time, I read up on them for several months prior to even thinking about bringing them in.

They are truly beautiful creatures and well worth the effort to own.

I, have of course picked out one to keep for myself!! I will be starting a ray tank of my own as I am already addicted to them!!

CM

 

[Eelzor]

oohhhhhhhhhh............I WANT ONE!!!!! cichlidmaestro why must you taunt me!?! I have never seen them in stores and If they where I bet they would cost heaps. But I MUST TRY! Maybe I can get a store to catch one for me! I really really want one, just a tiny one. I have heard that they can remove the sting barb from the rays - is it true? Can it grow back? I also take it that if they need perfect water conditions, that you should do a daily water change? Say, 30%? I am up to it!

 

[cichlidmaster]

Stingrays grow a new barb about every 4 months!!

It comes in under the current one and then the old one simply falls off so removing it will only result in the inevitable....which is a new growing in.

I have never heard of it being removed permanently, but would wonder why one would want to do it??

The barb is part of the stingrays makeup and just would not look as good without it....IMO!!

I forgot that you are on the other side of the pond, but I am sure they are available.

I will be doing 35% water changes twice a week in my ray tanks, but will increase that if the need arises.

The best way to keep the rays tank is to not overstock it. We currently have 3 henlei....2 are in one tank and 1 has a tank to itself.

These are both 70 gallon tanks and have massive amounts of biological filtration!!


Good luck and I hope you find one. They are truly awesome!!

CM

 

[Cian McLiam]

You can get shields for the barbs,like a rubber tube.
Stingrays are surprisingly the biggest killer in the Amazon waterways, pirahnas are well behind! Just be careful!!

Ken

 

[Cian McLiam]

Just on a different note, you can get freshwater flounders, like the mairne flatfish that changes colour to match the substrate. I believe they stay quite small but do need a sand substrate.

Ken

 

[cichlidmaster]

i am aware of the shields you mention!! They are mainly used by exporters during shipping to keep the rays from scratching each other with them.

I don't believe they are meant to be used long term tho!! I will check around and see what the norm is for using them long term.

IMO however this would also detract from the beauty of the ray.

I agree that rays can/are dangerous!! Most ray "attacks" and I use the term loosly, happen due to the ray being buried in the sand and people stepping on them!!

Just pay attention while working in their tank and you should be fine. I will probably start working on hand feeding mine tonight.

Will try to take pics during this process as well.

CM

NOTE** I wish to make it known that I am in no way an expert or authority on rays!!

What I state here is taken from what I have read and had told to me by a few very respected rays keepers and dealers.

I am, however looking forward to learning from my own experiances now and in the future!!

 

[Cian McLiam]

Well I for one am looking forewardto hearing them!

Ken

 

[cichlidmaster]

I am afraid I have a new "addiction"

I am already considering placing another order to get more sepcies in!!

I found myself sitting and watching the rays for several hours last night. They are totally captivating to watch as they hover around the tank.

I can't say enough as to how amazing they are!!

CM