Expert Ray keepers.. some insight would be nice :)

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MFNRyan

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jan 11, 2012
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I just started keeping a ray. Love her! I plan on keeping her for 6 months to a year and I would like to try adding one more with her. I want to wait to make sure I can get good at this and keep things stable before I add another. My post purpose is I would like to know what rays stay relatively small. I know none of them really are small but compared to others lol

What I have now is a Hystrix female. I have been told its a female, but don't know how to tell the difference. I hear this is one of 3 rays that are common in the home aquarium and stay some what small. Whats the other two and how tough are they to keep?

Thanks for the help everyone!
 
Some insight on your tank size would be helpful. Also check out some of the stickies at the top of the ray forum as there is one that gives a list of most of the rays.
 
Sexing rays is easy, thank god lol. Males will have what are referred to as claspers, they are fleshy extensions from the rays pelvic fins that cannot be missed. females lack these and have a smooth pelvic fin. The pelvic fins are the fins that move like little feet at the base of the tail. From your picture in your avatar it looks that you actually have a real hystrix which is awesome because other species are often sold under the "hystrix," name. Hystrix stay small as far as rays are concerned. Post up some more pics so we can take a look and let us know your tank dimensions so we can help you decide on your future plan in regards to keeping these little gems.

I think you will find keeping a healthy ray is not hard at all. They will eat you out of house and home and foul up your water fast but that is nothing good husbandry cannot address. If you treat these guys right and they make some of the best pets out there.

If you need a picture reference for sexing hear is a good link with some good info including info on sexing
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/fwstingrays.htm
 
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