But not 'flat in Baton Rouge, heading for the trains'..
nor 'down on Bourbon Street, set up like a bowling pin'...
Really, just for being a total active fish geek for >45 years and poking fun at myself in general.
I think many of you can relate.
Thanks for the sticker Brian
I found this sticker on a tank in my facility many years ago after my old friend Brian was caring for the zoo while I was traveling.
Kate keeps it packed in our 'traveling fish circus' box of goodies that she brings along to the CCA annual event. Some years I remember to take it out and place on the side of a tank for laughs.
So the thread is not about being busted for being a fish geek.
I've actually got many goodies in the facility at this time and would like to take an opportunity to share some photos and news with the readers.
I think that I've posted the day before or on Thanksgiving several times over the years. You see, I can't pack or process orders immediately prior to or on the holiday. It's a great opportunity to post.
I suppose some of the more rare and noteworthy species on hand include the below rays.
Copy/paste from my stock list below, followed by some stock photos.
The net price mention after each boesemani and marinae descriptions simply means that while I normally provide a 5% discount to fish orders > $350 and 10% discount to fish orders > $500, I cannot extend this same discount structure to individual, inherently expensive fish like the aforementioned.
Potamotrygon boesemani 'Apoera' 5" 2000.00 pr. / 750.00 males extremely rare Suriname import of juves; striking 'tortoise shell pattern' unique to this Corantijn River endemic-net price/no discount
" boesemani 'Apoera' 6.5-7.5" 3000.00 pr. / 1100.00 males next size up on md 'Apoera-large spotted' boesemani rays - net price/no discount
" marinae 5" @ 1000.00 ea. / 6.5-7.5" @ 1500.00 ea. extreme rare import of recently described, Suriname beauties w/ glowing gold flower pattern in ltd qty-net price/no discount; pairs avail
" motoro 7-8" 300.00 ea. Rio Vichada, COL collected 'marble motoro' juveniles in ltd qty (one beautiful pair still available)
Above photo taken upon import 3 weeks ago.
Below photo taken this week. All these fish are doing amazingly well. They've all received 3 prophylactic treatments praziquantel + other meds. Fed daily with cut shrimp and Tilapia fillet.
And just in case anyone is wondering, yes, the rays were imported in conjunction with fully completed CITES lll documentation
All boesemani rays were collected at Apoera on the Coratijn River.
This is where the large spotted form as you see in photos occurs. There is another form found further south around Sipaliwini which possess smaller spots in general.
As you can see, the pattern on this species develops and intensifies with size and maturity.
To view photos of adults, you may image search on Google, etc. Truly amazing species!
Another super rare import - the marinae ray from Suriname.
Just try to image search for this species and you will see what I mean. Very, very few examples to view.
According to the 2006 description of this species, the largest female collected was about 16" diameter - indicating that this species is likely to remain at quite a manageable size. By the way, boesemani disc size is said to measure about the same at maturity.
Coupled with their hardy appetite and incredibly bold floral pattern on dark body, I feel that marinae is destined to become a favorite in the trade as well.
There is a vacancy for a home/pet ray in my office tank and I know what species is coming to stay there
I have one very nice pair of marbled motoros from Rio Vichada, Colombia still available as of today. Photos below.
Also on hand are many Cichla species.
Below is a copy/paste of that section from the stock list at web page.
Cichla kelberi 2-2.5" 50.00 or 4 @ 45.00 ea. F1 Rio Doce 'gold spangled bass' of chunky juvenile size
" ocellaris 'Blauwmeer' 5-6" 175.00 ea. wild 'gold spangled' endemic to Blauwmeer 'Blue Lake', Suriname. 1st time import of gold jewel spangled form of ocellaris in ltd qty
" ocellaris 'Brokopondo' 4-4.5" 150.00 ea. wild Brokopondo Resevoir collected individuals possessing characteristic red coloration for which this form is known - ltd qty only
" orinocensis 'Rio Inírida' 2-2.5" 30.00 or 4 @ 27.00 ea. wild collected at Puerto Inírida, Rio Inírida; 'orino bass' juveniles
" orinocensis 'Rio Manacacais' 4-4.5" 65.00 or 4 @ 60.00 ea. wild collected at Puerto Gaitán on Rio Manacacias (trib of Rio Meta) 'orino bass' of medium size
" cf. orinocensis 'jewel spot' 6-7" 150.00 ea wild collected at Puerto Inírida, Rio Inírida; individuals covered w/ large white jewel spots over sides in very ltd qty
" piquiti 2-2.5" 45.00 or 4 @ 40.00 ea. F1 Rio Tocantins 'azul bass' of chunky juvenile size
" temensis 5-6" 75.00 or 4 @ 70.00 ea. wild collected at Puerto Inírida, Rio Inírida; 'speckled bass' of hefty size
Some of the stock may look better if seen in photo form.
A gold spangled wild ocellaris?
That's what is found in an old mining quarry known as Blauwmeer, or 'Blue Lake' in Suriname. Noteworthy is the fact that each individual from this population looks like this.
And then there's the beautiful form of ocellaris from Brokopondo Resevoir.
Great chunky size of orino collected at Puerto Gaitán on Rio Manacacias - just a few miles from the confluence with Rio Meta.
More gold spangled forms of bass - these collected at Puerto Inírida on the Rio Inírida.
Also from the same collection are great sized temensis as well.
One more photo and I'm maxed out on this entry.
Centropomus ensiferus 4-4.5" 125.00 or 3 @ 115.00 ea. Suriname collected 'swordspine snook'; a 100% freshwater snook that grows to only 12"; awesome tank candidate for Cichla, rays, etc
A 12" growing fresh water snook that attack food sticks and freeze dried krill.
Last edited:
