Can you safely keep freshwater rays with any other fish? what about the rest of the tank, can there be plants, rocks etc?
Thanks...
Thanks...
question for all 'ray' owners out there
- Thread starter Decz
- Start date
T
TnCgal
Guest
Hi, Decz !
Just make sure that whatever other fish you are considering having with a ray are not "fin-nippers" or aggressive cichlids. Rays are very docile and are not capable of defending themselves against an aggressor.
I would recommend sand for substrate since they love to bury themselves under the top layer of sand and while they "can" have plants in the tank, keep in mind that they are bottom-dwellers and need a LOT of gliding space within the tank. I personally don't have any plants in my ray tank because I believe they take up too much floor space for him.
Hope this helps !
Just make sure that whatever other fish you are considering having with a ray are not "fin-nippers" or aggressive cichlids. Rays are very docile and are not capable of defending themselves against an aggressor.
I would recommend sand for substrate since they love to bury themselves under the top layer of sand and while they "can" have plants in the tank, keep in mind that they are bottom-dwellers and need a LOT of gliding space within the tank. I personally don't have any plants in my ray tank because I believe they take up too much floor space for him.
Hope this helps !
T
TnCgal
Guest
Hi, Quick !
It just depends on what kind you get because there are a variety of species that get a variety of sizes and they really all grow at different rates. I have my teacup in a 90 and he's just fine for now, I won't need to move him up for a while yet... he's only grown about a centimeter in the last 12 months or so and is about 5 inches in diameter... so the teacups are extremely slow-growing. He will go into a 125g when the time comes.
It just depends on what kind you get because there are a variety of species that get a variety of sizes and they really all grow at different rates. I have my teacup in a 90 and he's just fine for now, I won't need to move him up for a while yet... he's only grown about a centimeter in the last 12 months or so and is about 5 inches in diameter... so the teacups are extremely slow-growing. He will go into a 125g when the time comes.
what do they usually eat? anything in particular? i was just thinking for future tank setups that a ray would be really cool.
Frozen foods and feeders as far as I've seen. They sometimes wait for it to sink but some people would rather handfeed them as they become rather tame.
Tnc, I was talking with some people about rays in general (not fish people) and they said they saw on the discovery channel that a stingray can only sting once in life since it loses it's stinger after the first time, know if that's true? Not that I want to get stung when I get mine (it's taking foreeeeeeeeever) but at least will it only be once a piece?
Tnc, I was talking with some people about rays in general (not fish people) and they said they saw on the discovery channel that a stingray can only sting once in life since it loses it's stinger after the first time, know if that's true? Not that I want to get stung when I get mine (it's taking foreeeeeeeeever) but at least will it only be once a piece?
Actually, rays periodically shed their "stingers" and is then replaced with a new one. I've never heard of a ray losing it's spine after using it, but I suppose it can happen. The severity of their sting is actually dependent on the pressure put on the spine. You can get stung by a ray and not get envenomated if there is only light contact. Many species have more than one spine anyway, so if one happens to dislodge, they still have a backup 
The best food for rays are worms...bloodworms, blackworms, and definately earthworms!! My ray comes charging when he sees my hand in the tank holding a yummy wormie!! 
They also like live ghost shrimp and any fresh seafood like mussels, fish, etc...From what I've read, most won't eat pellets and I know mine doesn't. They'll eat guppies and other small fish, too.
As far as tank mates, sure, but like TnCgal said, be careful! Not too mean, and not too small...If a fishie fits in the rays mouth consider it lunch! Another thing is to be careful w/plecos. Some like to latch onto rays and that can really hurt &/or kill them. I had a big 'ol rhino pleco and he managed to hickies on his back!! 
Luckily, he is healing fine and Mr. Pleco has a new tank to call home. I now have a little 3" rubber lip pleco in w/my ray and the two do fine together.
Getting stung, from what I've heard, can hurt like a B*tch for at least 3 days and cause a lot of swelling...however, the likelihood of your ray stinging you is pretty slim as long as you don't make sudden movements to startle it. They'll get used to your hand in the tank if you hand feed and will associate it w/food, not danger. Most rays would rather run than sting.
Beth
They also like live ghost shrimp and any fresh seafood like mussels, fish, etc...From what I've read, most won't eat pellets and I know mine doesn't. They'll eat guppies and other small fish, too.As far as tank mates, sure, but like TnCgal said, be careful! Not too mean, and not too small...If a fishie fits in the rays mouth consider it lunch!
Another thing is to be careful w/plecos. Some like to latch onto rays and that can really hurt &/or kill them. I had a big 'ol rhino pleco and he managed to hickies on his back!! Luckily, he is healing fine and Mr. Pleco has a new tank to call home. I now have a little 3" rubber lip pleco in w/my ray and the two do fine together. Getting stung, from what I've heard, can hurt like a B*tch for at least 3 days and cause a lot of swelling...however, the likelihood of your ray stinging you is pretty slim as long as you don't make sudden movements to startle it. They'll get used to your hand in the tank if you hand feed and will associate it w/food, not danger. Most rays would rather run than sting.
Beth