thinking about a stingray

[dmann]

i am thinking about getting a freshwater florida stingray for my 180 gal tank

it says they are at an easy care level, but i have heard horror stories about rays.

i have a few different fish in the tank right now. it has a white sandy bottom.

can i put a few pieces of driftwood in there and plants for my other fish or does the tank have to be empty.

also what fish to stay away from with the ray

[Lycanthropic]

While most dasyatids are relatively widespread and not currently threatened (http://www.aquariacentral.com/wiki/Threatened_species), there are several species (for example Taeniura meyeni (http://www.aquariacentral.com/wiki/Blotched_fantail_ray), Dasyatis colarensis (http://www.aquariacentral.com/wiki/Colares_stingray), D. garouaensis (http://www.aquariacentral.com/wiki/Niger_stingray), and D. laosensis (http://www.aquariacentral.com/wiki/Mekong_freshwater_stingray)) where the conservation status is more problematic, leading to them being listed as vulnerable (http://www.aquariacentral.com/wiki/Vulnerable_species) or endangered (http://www.aquariacentral.com/wiki/Endangered_species) by IUCN (http://www.aquariacentral.com/wiki/International_Union_for_Conservation_of_Nature)

Specifically what kind of ray? I know you said sting ray, but there are many different types that need different care and some are better left in the ocean...

[Lupin]

It doesn't hurt to read these.
---> Freshwater Stingray Profiles <--- (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149245)
Some info on Floridas FW Rays (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12543)

Post here (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=116) for more accurate responses as many stingray enthusiasts congregate there.

[dmann]

i was thinking about a florida freshwater stingray. but i read the motoros are easier and they look better too. i

[MotionInSilver]

Good luck, if you have the right footprint tank for them.

Many normal hobbyists do not have the appropriate tanks to house stingrays due to the fact that their large tanks are too narrow for them. Wider the tank is the better :)

[James0816]

Rays are definately not in the class of "easy to care for". They require prestine water conditions as well as frequent water changes.

Tank should have a large footprint....depending on the type of ray....6x2x2 is bare minimum. No decorations and either bare bottom or sand. Sand is preferred as they like to hide.

[froglover007]

A wide tank is a neccessity when housing any stingray. Florida Freshwater Stingrays are actually just a river population of the Atlantic Stingray. They can be kept in pure fresh water with no ill effects although they will produce 10 times more urine if kept in pure freshwater than in full salt water. They are best kept in brackish water or full salt water because of this or the other option is just to have EXTREMELY efficient biological filtration using wet-and-dry or a fluidized bed filter. Don't let this deter you though as they are amazing creatures. :)

p.s. Make sure you get the true freshwater population or else you may have to acclimatize them to fresh water. If this is the case, find out the salinity they were being kept at.

[froglover007]

You can add decorations as long as they are not sharp and are not disturbing the swimming space. Unless you have a large tank, I wouldn't suggest adding any decoration. You should also not have any heaters in the tank and the heaters should be incorporated into the filtration system to prevent burns.

[dmann]

thanks froglover, that info is real helpful. i have a 30g sump wet dry 900gph turn over a 30g auto top off res. about to add a posieden de nitrater. thanks for the info.

[aquaticcreature]

FL rays are actually not fresh water rays. They can live in fresh water as pups but need salt water as they mature. I know a lfs that carries them and cannot keep them alive. Go with a motoro, yepezi, hystrix for your first ray. I actually have some yepezi's for sale and will be bringing in some marbles and motoros next week.

[Cerianthus]

Rays do require optimal, optimal water condition as I have found with these intriguing creatures in my experiences.

I would not add any decorations as regular 180 (6 x 2 x 2) is not that big for some of large rays to roam about freely w/o obstacles.

Think about the types of food need to be fed for whatever species intended to keep.
It can be costly as I have not found any rays to take dried food readily and sustain health just on dried foods. Most f/w rays will go nuts on black/tubifex worm but try avoiding tibifex unless cultured by you..

You also need to do some research on each species toxins/antidotes in case you get stung by them. Unlikely but possible as many are stung by lion fish, or even get bitten by large (6') morays and such mishap can deliver toxins produced by bacteria carried by rmorays.

As you know, rays are bottom dwellers so adding few top dweller will also work well such as Australian Arowana, etc, etc.


Good Luck with new Venture!