I picked up Sharks& Rays by Scott Michael and while reading through it, this species caught my interest. I always that these guys needed hugeeee aquariums. According to Scott, they can live in a 200 gallon aquarium. Is this correct? How rare are they in North America? Where can you buy one? Any tankmates possible? any info appreciated. Just interested in the species. Thx
Just want info on the altantic guitarfish(Rhinobatos lentiginosus)
- Thread starter Stingray12
- Start date
I dont have any experience with these guys myself but here is an article for interest.
http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsart..._Fisher_Exhibits_Six_Baby_Atlantic_Guitarfish
http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsart..._Fisher_Exhibits_Six_Baby_Atlantic_Guitarfish
Well - the species is native to the Southeastern and Gulf Coast states. To get one - you likely have to go thru a dealer that deals in atlantic & gulf coast species.
As for keeping one in a 200 gallon aquarium - like most of Mr. Michael's estimates - this is too small for an adult. Personally I would suggest at bare minimum - a pond that is at least 50 sq.ft. and 750 gallons for this species.
As for potential tank mates - I would suggest possible sticking with atlantic species of dasyatis or urobatis stingrays or skates.
As for keeping one in a 200 gallon aquarium - like most of Mr. Michael's estimates - this is too small for an adult. Personally I would suggest at bare minimum - a pond that is at least 50 sq.ft. and 750 gallons for this species.
As for potential tank mates - I would suggest possible sticking with atlantic species of dasyatis or urobatis stingrays or skates.
THROW THAT BOOK AWAY!!!!!!
Atlantic Guitars need a TON of room to swim. Ken's estimate of 50 sq feet or more is close.
I've seen them at close to 3 feet. I've got some pics somwhere of one's I've kept. I'll see if I can find them and post them later for you.
Atlantic Guitars need a TON of room to swim. Ken's estimate of 50 sq feet or more is close.
I've seen them at close to 3 feet. I've got some pics somwhere of one's I've kept. I'll see if I can find them and post them later for you.
Okay - to clearify this. Scott Michael's "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" is basically a private aquarist guide to Shark/Ray Husbandary 101 - to call it anything more than that is giving the author way too much credit - IMO.
While the basic info about shark & ray husbandary in the book may be okay. The book does have many flaws - which after being in print for about 7 years is really starting to show. Among the flaws includes the following.
- Minimum suggested tank sizes for adults (on virtually every species)
- Some species information
- lack of details on elasmobranch tank/pond construction
- lack of details on good elasmobrach filtration system
And even though the list may not be long - the flaws in those areas are major.
That said - if you've already bought the book - I wouldn't suggest throwing it out. As that would just be a waste of money. Instead I would suggest just using it for basic stuff such as a species identification guide, or diet.
BTW - when I say 50 sq,ft as a minimum - please understand that means basically a pond that's 8ft in diameter for a 30" Atlantic guitarfish. A 3 foot guitarfish would need a pond/tank with a bare minimum of 70-79 sq.ft. (or about 9.5-10 ft in diameter).
While the basic info about shark & ray husbandary in the book may be okay. The book does have many flaws - which after being in print for about 7 years is really starting to show. Among the flaws includes the following.
- Minimum suggested tank sizes for adults (on virtually every species)
- Some species information
- lack of details on elasmobranch tank/pond construction
- lack of details on good elasmobrach filtration system
And even though the list may not be long - the flaws in those areas are major.
That said - if you've already bought the book - I wouldn't suggest throwing it out. As that would just be a waste of money. Instead I would suggest just using it for basic stuff such as a species identification guide, or diet.
BTW - when I say 50 sq,ft as a minimum - please understand that means basically a pond that's 8ft in diameter for a 30" Atlantic guitarfish. A 3 foot guitarfish would need a pond/tank with a bare minimum of 70-79 sq.ft. (or about 9.5-10 ft in diameter).
I wasnt planning on getting one, just looked interesting and thought I would get more info for them.
Well, they are a ray, and very similar in body to most of the other guitarfish and sawfish. Mouth is very mch like that of a stingray in that it is made up of two plates rather than rows of teeth. They use this to grind food prior to ingesting it. They hide most of the time during the day, and will burry themselves much like other rays. Prime time to see them is twilight hours, or in minimal lighting. that s one reason people think they don't need much space. Usually people never see them moving because they are most active during those odd hours. They do swim up in the water column, as well as cruise right along the bottom.
One thing that makes them stand out from other rays is the body, which resembles a shark more than their flatter relatives. This shape is shared with other animals like previously mentioned sawfish, and several other "oddball" ray species (torpedo rays, fiddler rays etc...) Like most fish from that area of the world, water temps will range mid to upper 70's.
They hunt very similar to other rays, sifting substrate and sand looking for small fish and inverts. They will use their mouths to blow water down into the sand looking for burried prey items.
One thing that makes them stand out from other rays is the body, which resembles a shark more than their flatter relatives. This shape is shared with other animals like previously mentioned sawfish, and several other "oddball" ray species (torpedo rays, fiddler rays etc...) Like most fish from that area of the world, water temps will range mid to upper 70's.
They hunt very similar to other rays, sifting substrate and sand looking for small fish and inverts. They will use their mouths to blow water down into the sand looking for burried prey items.