Can i keep a ray?

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E

elisuwe

Candiru
MFK Member
Apr 29, 2010
397
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england, wiltshire
I'm looking into getting a ray preferably one with a slower growth rate (tank is 84wx18dx24h 157gallons). Could i keep a teacup or motoro in this for around 2 years till i upgrade to a tank with a larger footprint? Other tankmates? I currently have:
-1 oscar (not sure which type he is? no definite pattern as of yet very dark!)
-1 GT which i wouldn't mind getting rid of, He's an absolute stunner but he has killed an oscar...
-3 pictus cats
-tiretrack
-3 bala shark.

Would be nice to get a ray but i will go without if needs be! Would appreciate your opinions on this one! I've also ordered 2 featherfin synds so i would like to know if i could possibly keep a ray?

Thanks for reading, Elijah!
 
I hope you didnt read that thread where some idiot said that teacups are 1: a species of ray. And 2: the same thing as motoro. There's a HUGE difference between "teacups" and motoros. And you still calling reticulated rays teacups just goes to show that you haven't researched at all. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but these kinds of posts really made me wake up when I was asking the same questions.


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Well possibly a hystrix? Ive only read up for a few hours and looking at it as a future prospect... I dont mind being blunt its so much easier haha!

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Hystrix and reticulated generally get to the same size, although grapedinox has a 15" male hystrix. If you do get a ray though, get a hystrix. Retics can be finicky eaters. You can get all of your info on freshwater stingrays on general pages about just rays and no species in particular but just convert the general sizes to 12-14 inches. Hard to find info on hystrix as many people aren't willing to go through the trouble to get them as the true hystrix are from brazil and export on stingrays has been banned there. Just consult the great god google with the keywords freshwater stingrays and read all the stickies and keep an eye out for any info you can. And after researching, aquascape online has true hystrix for sale that are only 125$. If you get a ray, be prepared to possibly upgrade.


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Raysrule said:
Hystrix and reticulated generally get to the same size, although grapedinox has a 15" male hystrix. If you do get a ray though, get a hystrix. Retics can be finicky eaters. You can get all of your info on freshwater stingrays on general pages about just rays and no species in particular but just convert the general sizes to 12-14 inches. Hard to find info on hystrix as many people aren't willing to go through the trouble to get them as the true hystrix are from brazil and export on stingrays has been banned there. Just consult the great god google with the keywords freshwater stingrays and read all the stickies and keep an eye out for any info you can. And after researching, aquascape online has true hystrix for sale that are only 125$. If you get a ray, be prepared to possibly upgrade.
Click to expand...

remember that depending on the morph of retic, you could be dealing with a tail that is equal to the 1.5x the disc width.
take this into account for tank dimensions. as stated in the other thread i replied to the OP, this means that in a year and a half of growth, my retics would be touching tip of nose and tail to the front and back of your tank. a little too small of a desired living arrangement. upgrade would be max 1 year from purchase of a 3-3.5 inch pup.
 
Good that you are asking questions. A 150 is unlikely to house any species of ray for life unless you hit lucky on a very small male (males grow to smaller sizes generally)

The Oscar is likely to hassle the ray and that will end in tears for one of them, some people get away with oscars but likely to be a bigger tank. You have some big messy fish already so you would need excellent filtration and weekly water changes if you consider a ray.

Rays often feed twice per day and you other fish are going to make it hard to get food to the rays.
 
Tbh i think ill wait untill i get a 200gallon with a 36"footprint and just have a ray tank, what are good tank mates for these guys? I wouldnt mind just a ray tank but i do like having mid-upper level fish! Cheers for the answers guys!

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Many people keep peaceful Geophagus or silver dollars. I have seen discus before but I think the salad side of them can be a target for rays and he cichlid behaviour can become territorial.
 
For rays i would mix with some nice florida gars..and a arowana..since ur gettin a 36inch front to back u could house florida gars
 
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