Yea from my understanding you can't keep rays out of water for long since they become overly stressed also you can't use normal nets cause of there tail and spine. Another thing you got to worry about with rays is there mucus membrane which coats there whole body. Pleco's are not your typical fish that have to worried about like that. If you ever get a chance feel the sides of a pleco. You'll notice they are rough and don't really got a mucus membrane. They do have one but it's no where near as much as a traditional fish or like a ray.
I just wrestle them to the floor and use duck tape and then throw them over my shoulders...oh wait we're talking about plecos not crocodiles...yeah what mrtoofay said is about right.
Every time I see a pic of someone holding a pleco I can't help but think why? Wouldn't a rubber net be better? I guess I just don't understand wanting to touch your fish. I saw a vid of a guy rubbing his stingrays. Im not trying to pick on anyone it just seems odd.
I really wish I had read this thread first before transferring my 7" watermelon Pleco L330. I just started another thread asking if I may have hurt him picking him up in a net. One if his fins is sticking out now. Does anyone know if this will heal?