Dasyatis sabina -- Atlantic Rays -- Anyone keep them?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Etunes;3487789; said:
.... I live in Florida so this is the only legal stingray available to me.


I posted in your thread as well, but I wanted to touch on this. It's not the ONLY legal ray to keep in FL. There are many amazing saltwater rays that stay much smaller and are better suited for home size aquariums that Atlantic rays that you can keep in FL.
 
Zoodiver;3485093; said:
Tube feeding rays is very possible. I go to it as a last resort.
Blend a slurry of seafoods together. I'd mix in a little B12 (you can get tablets at any health food store). I'd also add a high calorie supplement (Nutra-Cal or STAT). Those two additons will help get her eating again, and get her through the time she's not.

Once it's blended, use a syringe and airline tubing to feed the animal. It won't take much food for her at this size. Make sure to round the tip to the airline so it's not a sharp edge. Tubing is a two person job. Catch the ray and invert her. The person holding the ray should have a finger or two on her back near the base of her tail to feel her stomach. The other person runs the tube into her mouth SLOWLY. If you push too hard, you can do damage to the lining of the stomach wall. Once it's in, pull it out just a touch. At that point, I'd mark the tube with a black line or other marker so you know the depth to insert next time. Slowly push the food in. If she fights or regurges, let her go. It's not worth stressing her out over it. Give her 7mL or so to start with. Small amounts a couple times a day will be better than large amounts once.


one thing to add to this matt.... its a good idea to put a small piece of earthworm; fish or something(shrimp etc..) over the end of the tube.. helps it slide in better and reduces risk of the tube damaging something...
 
Zoodiver;3490572; said:
I posted in your thread as well, but I wanted to touch on this. It's not the ONLY legal ray to keep in FL. There are many amazing saltwater rays that stay much smaller and are better suited for home size aquariums that Atlantic rays that you can keep in FL.

That is true. I was just curious if it could work. I won't buy 1 and wait and make a custom tank for the ray. A tank better suited for rays. But i figured i should do my research like i do with all my other fish.
 
Nic;3490594; said:
one thing to add to this matt.... its a good idea to put a small piece of earthworm; fish or something(shrimp etc..) over the end of the tube.. helps it slide in better and reduces risk of the tube damaging something...


Nice addition!
 
Just an update:

I took out that black marine "sand" and boy did I realize why she was so upset. When I had touched it in the water previously, it seemed soft and gentle, but when I actually dug in to start scooping it out, it freakin' HURT. I actually have scrapes on the sides of my hands from sweeping it across the glass bottom into piles so I could scoop it out. That stuff is AWFUL, and I see now why it irritated her and stressed her out. I left the tank barebottom for now until I can track down some pool filter sand, and she already seems to be doing MUCH better. She took quite a few pellet-stuffed shrimp for me and actually settled down and slept (I can tell when she sleeps because her eyes sink down into her head while she's resting on the bottom). So I have hope now that she's going to bounce back to normal.
 
PinkLady;3495212; said:
Just an update:

I took out that black marine "sand" and boy did I realize why she was so upset. When I had touched it in the water previously, it seemed soft and gentle, but when I actually dug in to start scooping it out, it freakin' HURT. I actually have scrapes on the sides of my hands from sweeping it across the glass bottom into piles so I could scoop it out. That stuff is AWFUL, and I see now why it irritated her and stressed her out. I left the tank barebottom for now until I can track down some pool filter sand, and she already seems to be doing MUCH better. She took quite a few pellet-stuffed shrimp for me and actually settled down and slept (I can tell when she sleeps because her eyes sink down into her head while she's resting on the bottom). So I have hope now that she's going to bounce back to normal.

Why not stay simple? Keep the tank barebottom, they do fine on BB and its alot less of a hassle to clean, also dont need to worry about getting sand in your filter.
 
Mainly because she seems to like having some kind of substrate because she's very active in rooting through it, sifting, pushing it around, burying herself, etc. As it is I've caught her doing that "flapping" motion to try to bury herself despite the bottom being now bare, and she seems bothered by the fact that she can't dig in and get covered up. She keeps trying, not realizing that there's nothing there to do it with. Plus I guess I don't really like how it looks bare. It makes the tank seem dark and very boring. :/
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com