Debarb your stingrays?

[eaglesWR7]

I was wondering, all you hand feeding stingray owners. Do you debarb your rays? I saw a video on youtube of a guy catching cownose rays and ripping the barb off. I know they grow back, but I dunno if i wanna be the man to try an grab that thing haha.

THANKS!

 

[pitbullfish]

nope i leave mine on but very careful when feeding.....had a couple close calls but never stung. some people put airline tubes on the barb but can cause fungus from what i've heard.

 

[YSCagro]

wow.....please do not attempt to do anything risky without an DOCTOR beside you...hehehe.....
for me i wont do this, jus leave it natural!..

 

[FireMedic]

The objects of my affection are treated with utmost respect. I target feed each ray by hand, allowing it to approach me, not vice-a-versa. I have patiently worked for several months with the help of my wife Darienne to hand train the rays.
We are very strict about how, when and physically where we or anybody else touches the rays. Our patience has definately paid off and allows us very intimate daily opportunities to feed and examine each ray. It is to the point that we can just about lift each ray out of the water with cupped hands. We NEVER allow our hands/fingers near their spiracles, eyes or last 1/3 of their body-tail-pelvis.

My goal is to be able to weigh each ray bi-weekly if not monthly as an added tool to manage their health/nutrition.

The Rays have their spines. The spines range from 1 7/8 to 3 1/4 inches long. We are very cautious. Debarbing is not spoken in our house!
Respectfully,
FireMedic.

 

[StripeGirl]

i heard if you do this they could bleed out??like cutting a dogs nails too short.

 

[Kevaldo]

takin the stinger off a ray hitting 15" would be very risky, not to mention stressful to the rays.

 

[StripeGirl]

for me removing the stinger would remove the excitement.

 

[VLDesign]

After being hit by a full grown volitan lion fish I am no longer worried about rays... lol

 

[john C]

i have had to remove the stinger off one of my rays do to getting caught in a net. i have recently received a few new rays that they removed the stinger. they remove stingers or put tubing on the rays for shipping reasons. if you were to remove stinger it would create stress on the fish,possible infection, and even possibility to be stung your self. i think there is a public sting ray exhibit witch they clip the stingers and the public goes in the water with the rays (sting ray city)?

 

[Miles]

After being hit by a full grown volitan lion fish I am no longer worried about rays... lol

Except for the fact that Potamotrygon venom is way more toxic than Pterois venom.