So I live in FL and can't have SA River Rays, I was researching the Atlantic Ray and saw that there's a permanently freshwater locality here in FL. Was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this locale? Do they create the same "chemical mess" as the saltwater locales in fresh?
Atlantic Ray Question
- Thread starter Terrena
- Start date
If you're referring to the "chemical mess", I was making reference to the fact that they usually excrete massive quantities of urea to cope with freshwater conditions.
Should b no different than keeping SA rays… they all produce the same thing. U may need to gradually go to brackish conditions as it grows tho. Not much info or experience from people keeping these long term.
Yeah I read up on the brackish nature of these rays, but considering that there's a permanently freshwater population in a river here in Florida, would they still somehow require a change in salinity if I were to get one from this locale? I know it sounds like a kinda redundant question, but the little bit of info I could gleam on this species were all salt/brackish localities, and the only major point I could really find is their urea output in freshwater. But if the SA rays are no different in this regard, then it shouldn't be too different, right?
Only 1 way to find out as always… personal experience can often negate any reading or info thats out there. With an autodrip system or strict water change regime u should be more than fine across the board IMO… many types of fish in this same “boat” of surviving in fresh water or even having land locked populations in fresh as well. I don’t think these rays are too expensive for the “gamble” either way. I say go for it lol…
Haha, I figured as much. So then for an 8'x3'x3', what sort of filtration will I be looking at? Also is feeding the deal as with the river rays?
Can’t recommend auto drip systems enough for any type of large fish esp. rays. For filtration i keep it simple personally. Bio media and filter socks. For food… any type of cut/prepared fish should b fine and pellets of course if u can get the rays on them.
Ive kept and bred freshwater rays for yrs… ive also kept marine benethic sharks. Something thats never mentioned or worried about for fresh water rays is vitamin supplements. Marine sharks and rays require vitamin supplements to thrive and even survive in captivity. Not sure what the difference there is. Saltwater elasmos are prone to get goiters from mal nutrition, hence the need for vitamin supplements. Something like “mazuri” shark/ray tabs are necessary to add into their food on a regular basis to keep them healthy. Certain injections of meds are even kinda necessary for marine sharks longevity in captivity.
With all this being said… id use some sort of vitamins in addition to ur prepared fish/foods. At the least “vitachem” is a good product for this. Mazuri is great stuff also (its used by most zoos) it has a shelf life tho and is expensive. U almost cant use the amt u have to buy before it expires is the downside of it. I used vitachem for my sharks. Was enough to keep them living, i could never get them to breed tho.
People over on reeftoreef often sell the mazuri tabs or slurry due to its shelf life and amt u have to buy. Might be able to find some there. Ive also read using certain types of vitamins for human consumption works also.