Are these rays really the same species?

[dparks87]

I have been seeing rays coming in as of late that look similar to the one you posted in our first picture. In the 90's pleco's had this happen. Many new species came into the hobby and were sold under many different names because proper classification had not been established. Just search Mosaic sting ray and see how many different rays come up as identified as such. When I think P. reticulata I do not think of the ray in the first picture. The ray in the second picture looks much more like what I would consider a retic just not fully colored up. My guess would be some sort of scobina but its hard to say.

I kept marble motoro for a good long while and I will tell you the variety I saw between just what was referred to marble motoro was stunning. I say use your common sense.... If this was a frontosa or geophagus we would be seriously considering giving these fish some sort of distinguishable features that differentiated them from each other!

 

[Warrensmentor]

I have been seeing rays coming in as of late that look similar to the one you posted in our first picture. In the 90's pleco's had this happen. Many new species came into the hobby and were sold under many different names because proper classification had not been established. Just search Mosaic sting ray and see how many different rays come up as identified as such. When I think P. reticulata I do not think of the ray in the first picture. The ray in the second picture looks much more like what I would consider a retic just not fully colored up. My guess would be some sort of scobina but its hard to say.

I kept marble motoro for a good long while and I will tell you the variety I saw between just what was referred to marble motoro was stunning. I say use your common sense.... If this was a frontosa or geophagus we would be seriously considering giving these fish some sort of distinguishable features that differentiated them from each other!

That's what I'm saying man, there should be another classification or two.

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[dparks87]

There will be. Hopefully they will continue to grow the "P" classification and we will see divides in stingray classification over the next many years. These things take time as they usually start on the hobby level and its sometime before they are recognized as fact.

 

[Warrensmentor]

So I hit the store again today and saw the same ray, this guy:



Which doesn't look like a retic exactly. But I noticed something else today...its bottom is darker...like a black ray but not as dramatic. My retic only has white and maybe some pink on the bottom. I desperately tried to get him on the glass again so I could take a pic but here its the best I could do:



What do you think? It totally has the tail of a retic, but it also came into the store at 5 1/2 inches which is the biggest retic I've ever seen come in which also makes me wonder.

 

[Warrensmentor]

SEE MY POST JUST ABOVE THIS!!
Honestly, when my new tank is ready next week, if its still in the store, I'm getting it. I think its beautiful, even more so than my own retic. If only it was female!!!

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[spotfin]

It's still a retic, and a really nice one.

 

[spotfin]

This is the underside of a retic I had awhile ago.

 

[Warrensmentor]

Yeah man, that's totally what it looked like. Can we see the top of that same retic?

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[hereticlosmorte]

both of mine have black on the bottom. does your retic have none? that's interesting. could you post a pic of your rays underside? sorry for the junky quality photos, old blackberry with no flash = suck.

 

[MonsterMinis]

Handsome lil' guy looks alot like my male and female. my male does have nicer over-all patterning. someone mentioned keeping 2 males in the same tank.. I was under the impression unless you are actively attempting to breed adult rays 1 male would be better so nipping ect is minimal?