Beginner ray?

[boosh96]

Which stingray species is generally considered the best "introductory" stingray to the raykeeping hobby? I was thinking about a Motoro ray, as I've heard they're good beginner rays, but is there a "beginner" ray that gets to a smaller adult size? Can you give me some good information?

 

[JohnG]

Motoros are recommended as beginner rays because they are one of the easiest to keep and they are fairly cheap. Hystrix and Retics stay smaller but are more delicate, or so people say. Never kept Retics myself and my Hystrix haven't had any issues. What size tank do you have?

 

[boosh96]

I don't have a tank nearly big enough for a ray, and I really don't know how to build one. But I do have an idea, though. What I'm thinking about building is a shallow tank with a large footprint. I thought it would be pretty cool to make sort of a "touch tank" like the ones you see in public aquariums and stuff, to allow easier hand feeding and we could even occasionally pet the ray. Naturally, I absolutely will not do it if it has any impact on the health of the fish. So what do you think?

 

[barracuda123]

Good idea but dimensions?

 

[boosh96]

I have no idea! It all depends on the kind of ray I'm going to get. Can you give me some good suggestions?

 

[oTo]

Hystrix would be ideal but they are rare.

Freshwater Stingrays are sexually dimorphic. Males generally stay smaller than females of the same species. I have read of male marble motoros fully grown at around 12 inches in disc width

http://www.amazonasrochen.ch/page/rochen/arten/marlbledmotoro.htm

and fully grown male pearls at around 16 inches in disc width.

http://www.amazonasrochen.ch/page/rochen/arten/peralray.htm


Here is a link to a great website. You may have to use Google translate to read it, bit it is worth it!

http://www.amazonasrochen.ch/

For individual species...

http://www.amazonasrochen.ch/page/rochen/arten/arten.htm

 

[barracuda123]

6ft x 6ft x 2ft

 

[keepinfish]

Motoro if tank size is not issue. If it is then look at hystrix.

 

[boosh96]

I think I'm going to ditch the "touch tank" idea-I'm worried that I'll overstress the fish.

 

[JML1997]

6ft x 6ft x 2ft

6' wide is not neccesary ..