Acquiring SW Rays and Compatibility

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Tucc185

Tucc185

Candiru
MFK Member
Jul 7, 2005
413
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Boulder, CO
www.reef2rainforest.com
I have been kicking around the idea of setting up a SW Ray tank for a while now, I've spent the last several months researching, reading (yes, before anyone recommends it I own and have read cover to cover Sharks and Rays by Michael) , and getting equipment ready to possibly set up a 6' X 30" tank. I have the option of getting a few nice juvie california rays at an LFS that are feeding, but as they are temperate I know that will limit my options for tankmates later. Not to mention I just bought 3 new stealth heaters for the tank. Cortez rays, from what I read, are less temperate and stay smaller than the californias, but I have never seen them for sale and cannot find any online. I don't even know what to expect to pay for one. Anyone know a decent source and average retail price for one? My other question is if I were to go with california rays, and kept the tank around 68 degrees or so, could I possibly keep an Atlantic (Dasyatis sabina) or yellow ray with them? I know some public aquaria keep both these species in temperate tanks, and I would like to possibly have a seagrass bed setup with one or more of these rays. As for max size, i have a 300gal rubbermaid which could easily be set up to accomodate these rays when the time comes. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
 
If you went with a California Ray, at 68 degress you would not be able to keep a Yellow Stingray as they are a warmer water specimen however you could probable do an Atlantic Ray. Also do not mean to burst your bubble but at only 300 gallons you can't accomodate a Yellow or an Atlantic.
 
Thanks Brenden, I just realized I was going by the guidelines in Scott W Michael's book, I should have known better. Anyone have any idea where to find a Cortez ray or how much they typically go for? I just started looking at pre-formed plastic shells for outdoor ponds, they seem like a relatively inexpensive way to set up an indoor ray lagoon. They are all relatively shallow and have huge rounded footprints. Something 9' by 5' (round) or so should be pretty good for maybe a couple of cali rays and maybe one atlantic, no?
 
Yeah - Scott Michael's figure are usually too small for the rays as well. Although usually not quite to the same level as his minimum estimates are for sharks.

Personal - I would say a 6' diameter x 30" deep pond is suited for all the round rays (Genus: Urobatis) - send these species are usually about 24" total length or less. The Dasyatis rays (such as the Atlantic) tend to grow too large for a pond that small.

As for the price of the Cortez - they're actually only slightly more than the expensive than the California Stingrays - usually between 70-95 bucks. And they are nearly as common as California rays - sometimes sold as Chocolate Chip Rays. Likely if your LFS can get California Stingrays - then they can also get Cortez Stingrays.
 
what species of ray would you recommend for someone who has never had one? I am with a $200 budget, so I cannot afford any of the super expensive ones. I am really interested in getting one and I figured I would get advice from you guys, since you guys know so much about them. Thanks for the help.
 
swissarmy26;1511917; said:
what species of ray would you recommend for someone who has never had one? I am with a $200 budget, so I cannot afford any of the super expensive ones. I am really interested in getting one and I figured I would get advice from you guys, since you guys know so much about them. Thanks for the help.
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hmmmm,well first what are your tank dimensions????Next,most prefer to eat shrimp and other seafoods.a suitable ray might be a cortez ray,as stated in earlier posts.if you have a large tank california rays are good.
 
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