capturing rays, tips and tricks.

[ahkiu]

I'll be keeping some rays soon and wondering from the old hands, how do they go about capturing their rays when they need to move them from their tanks? Especially if you have a big tank !

Take my tank for an example, it's 7x2.5x2.5 but the actually access area from the top when you remove the sliding cover glass is far smaller than 7x2.5.

Net's should be avoided so as to not trap their barbs? Do people drop the water lvl in the tank and put in some sort of vessel to "herd" their rays in similar to bagging a normal fish? This might work when they are small but what about when they are larger?

trying to accumulate the knowledge in advance

 

[Miles]

I've always just used a big huge net and tried to be careful of the barb..

I also have herded them into plastic rubbermaid's, but I'd be more worried of being stung doing that..

Just try not to move them much?

 

[Big Daves Rays]

The safest way I have move my big rays is huge rubbermaid tubs. You corner the ray and let him slip into the rubbermaid. Try not to move fast, but slowly ease them in. Once they are in the tub, rotate it so the top is up and bring it to the surface. CAREFULLY let some of the water out of the tub back into the tank. this is when they are most likely to try and swim out with the water so be patient. Once you have lowered the water level in the tub to a safe amount for you to carry and the ray to be covered by water then you are good to go.

 

[Miles]

Forgot.. It depended alot on the size of the ray..

Juvie rays, used a net..

Larger rays, used the tub method.. Works real well. Just be careful.