180 will work for some rays. If you are going to do a 180 for a ray for life you have to shop for the right ray. First off do not buy a pup as you will have no idea what size it will turn out. The next thing is buy a ray that is at least 3 years old and has been in a proper home for this period. That will be the hard part as you will have to have total faith in the seller as to how it has grown up. I just sold a pearl x motoro pup that is two years old and smaller than my female scobina which is maybe 1.5 to 2 years old, all it's siblings kept in the same tank have grown huge so there are small healthy rays out there. For your situation I would reccomend growing out your favourite rays and then finding people to sell or trade to for smaller rays. Don't let the size of your tank stop you from enjoying rays.
Can I house a ray in a 180 for life
- Thread starter Ajno
- Start date
I think it is better to buy as a pup, but know what breed you are buying and their max size and have a plan if it does outgrow your tank. 180 is a bit small for any ray though, other than the smaller less hardy breeds mentioned...
And as far as I know, males stay smaller so it would be advisable to get a male.
And as far as I know, males stay smaller so it would be advisable to get a male.
Thanks guys. I ended up buying a used 180 that needs a lot of love. I'd love to have a ray, but I don't want one that will outgrow my tank and think someone will buy it from me. I don't like that. I'd like to be a responsible fishkeeper and house it for life. 180 is probably the biggest tank I'm going to be able to fit in my house. I am going to install a drip system so water will always be perfect. I guess if I find someone here that has a smaller male thats a few years old and done growing I'd buy it. So thank you everyone for the suggestions and thanks all of your help!
Good for you
At least there are still responsible fish keepers around!You can live vicariously through my rays along with Pepper if you want. My dad calls them "The Spice Rays" as I have named them after spices too
I'm also curious about this. I've read those retic only get 12-14 circumference right? Would a 8' long x 2.5' deep x 2' tall be sufficient for one of those guys? Also what do they bring to the table in terms of bioload? Heavy, light bioload wise? Compatible with most other larger fish?
I'm going to have a 300g setup started soon with those dimensions and was curious about retic.
I'm going to have a 300g setup started soon with those dimensions and was curious about retic.
Retics make a fair amount of bioload. I have 3 In a pond and if I even think about getting lazy the nitrates jump 20ppm. My female is over 9 inches and only 13 months old. She is almost 2 feet long. Her bro is as least a inch smaller.
Can you think of a more commonly kept larger fish to compare their bioload with so I could get an idea? Would you say their bioload is as heavy as an Oscar or lighter? I was thinking just one when I get my 300g setup.
ive got 3 pbass about a foot and 2 motoros wonder how much longer thell last in there !!! its a 6 by 2 by 2 so only 180 gal added anoth 150 leters in the sump tho.
