Another run at this whole stingray thing

[windeindoiel]

Ok so upon asking questions and stuff I've determined that my idea of putting discus and a ray together is not going to make for happy discus fish. So I'll have to wait for the discus and possibly give them their own tank.

So I'm thinking of a hystrix or retic ray in a 204 gallon tank (5' by over 2'). Although I'm still wondering if a motora won't be ok in that? Also I had it recommended that I could put knifefish in with my ray. So now I'm thinking of this; a stingray, probably about 7 silver dollars, a senegal bichir (or 2), and about 5 knifefish, unless I can keep less than 5?

For decorations I'm thinking a large piece of driftwood that goes from the bottom of one end of the tank to the top of the other. Attached to the driftwood will be some plants and what not for things to hide in, and I'll also have some floating plants.

Am I going to need to find a way to make more hiding places than this? I don't want to clutter up the rays tank too much with decorations. Any suggestions how I could do it if I do need more?

Thanks in advance for all your help, and while I'm on the subject, this forum has helped a lot in the past, so thank you everyone.

 

[XSeaNX]

Who told you discus dont make good tankmates? They both require acidic water (6.6-6.8) around the same temperature (78-80º) and the same qater quality (0ppm amm 0ppm nitrites ~5-15ppm nitrates) and discus (from what Ive seen heard been told) are very peaceful and stingrays dont tend to pick on fish very easily. Also rays are from the same general area as discus. Im actually thinking about starting a discus/ray tank as well.

and what knifefish are we talking here? clownknives are VERY much loners when they grow larger and I would only assume with 5 youd have a few problems. I dont know how Birchirs are territory wise so I dont know whether or not theyd be a good choice. IMHO rays should either have a species tank, or mid/top swimmers who keep to themselves (arowana, discus, SOMETIMES oscars, etc.) and arent small enough to be eaten by the ray.

motoro is a bad Idea as they can grow to as large as 28" in diameter. with that setup either a hystrix or a reticulatis would be what I recommend however keep in mind they are a little harder to get acclimated (though not as hard as leopoldi) and arent as "hardy" as motoro because they are picky eaters.

as for the decorations. Make sure you do non-silica sand (estes if you want colored, I have black estes or regular marine sand) and try to keep as much of the area free from obstacles. As long as the ray has sand it wont need a place to hide, they bury themselves in the sand. Driftwood seems like a good Idea as its going to keep the pH about where you want it, anything else you put in the tank just make sure it isnt too rough for the ray and that its placed in a way the ray/s cant get stuck. My rays get into everything oddly enough and its been a learning experience as to how to place any/all decorations.

if you do go ahead with the tank just make sure that the ray/rays are added in a tank thats already been established for a while to make sure theres no problem with water quality.

goodluck and feel free to ask any questions you have.

Sean

 

[windeindoiel]

I posted about it on aquaticpredators.com and was told that stingrays interrupt the discus fishes sleeping.

I know not to use silica sand. So you think the ray will help me figure out how to decorate? Lol.

I should have specified I meant black ghost knife fish. I think the bichir will be fine just as long as it stays bigger than the rays mouth. I think I'll have to provide some sort of hide for the bichir though. I wasn't worried about the ray, I'm sure it'll hide in the sand, it was more the other fish. Seeing how I hear I can't really have a lot on the bottom I was wondering where I'd put hiding places as it seems I'm going to somehow have to attach them to the top. We're building the tank and we were considering putting a shelf about half way up the wall and putting rocks and stuff for the other fish to hide in up there, in hopes the ray would leave such things alone.

And ok, fine FINE no motoras for me. Lol it's a little disappointing because they're my favorite but we just don't have the room for a bigger tank. Oh and I was thinking of using the bichir and some silver dollars to cycle the tank seeing how I already have those and they seem to do ok.

As much advice as possible would be great, especially about my stocking options.

 

[OrionGirl]

Marine sand will jack the pH seriously high. Not a good idea.

 

[windeindoiel]

Partially a bump and partially more information.

I've decided against putting silver dollars in with the ray. What I think I want now is one black ghost knife, one ray (most likely retic), 2 bichirs (one for sure senegal, the other either an albino or an ornate) and a moonlight gourami. Does anyone see any problems with that? Will the gouramis fins get nipped do you think? And I'd like a couple more fish in there, anything else interesting I could put in there? I was thinking some sort of shark like fish, but not one that will nip fins or bug the other fish.

 

[XSeaNX]

Marine sand will jack the pH seriously high. Not a good idea.

depends ENTIRELY on what you get. Nice to see a resident saltwater guru in here though

I know if you buy live sand or those specifically made for marine tanks that they will raise the pH but isnt there sand available with that same texture that wont? (playsand will not work too abrasive).

Worst case scenario is you will have to use Estes (what I use) without a problem.

Birchirs are the only problem I forsee and Im only saying that because I dont know their behavior. Basically you are fine with anything thats not a nipper (silver dollars are) and that isnt territorial. Also anything thats too active you might find your ray buried most of the day. Im finding that with my reticulas he doesnt much like a LOT of movement from the oscars (or me) but hes also still acclimating...I cant wait to get him in my 125 with the Leopoldi.

Me personally I would do the Black ghost kives, Maybe the birchirs and one silver arowana but I also love my silver arowana. instead of the Gourami why dont you do like 3 or 5 angelfish? they are pretty large. Just keep in mind that with the type of filtration youre going to need that the current isnt too strong in open water because the angels hate it.

 

[windeindoiel]

Would an arowana fit in that size of tank? And I don't know if I want an arowana. I don't want angels, I'd definately rather have the gourami. Mmm I'm still looking for another tank mate or 2 though. I was thinking perhaps some needlefish but they're kind of narrow so I worry the stingray might slurp them up one day.