Freshwater stingray compatibility

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flip4EvR45

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 18, 2013
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U.S.A
Hey guys! I'm new around here, and have quite a few questions about fish. I do know my fair share, but there's always room for more in my opinion. I really want to know what species and tank size are best for freshwater stingrays, whether they're teacups or others. I've heard "55 gallon" but then "68 gallon" then "100 plus". I'm basically as curious as you can get, as I plan on eventually owning these guys!
 
I don't know that much about stingrays as I'm buying my 1st 1 soon, but the bigger the tank the better and I have heard that stingrays need a bigger tank compared to a lot of other fish because the constantly swim and scavenge, I wouldn't think a 55 is any good for any species of ray for very long, I would even say the 100 seems quite small but hopefully someone with experience can chime in :)


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Sizewise the Hystrix and Reticulatus are the most convenient, minimum I would personally say is a 180g for 1 or possibly 2 of those... However if this is your first ray I would probably suggest getting a larger tank and getting a male motoro, they do grow larger than retics and hystrix (although not as large as female motoros) but they are a much hardier fish than the others and a much better beginner ray keeper fish in my opinion. I'm no expert and I'm sure there will be people who disagree and say you need a 1000 gal pond for 2 tetras but hey just my 2 pence worth...
 
Have a read thru the stickies as there is alot of useful information in them. One that may help you is about the profiles of freshwater rays. Gives decent tank sizes for juvies up to adults.


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A good size tank to start of with would be a 6x3x2 at least you no you would not have to worry about a bigger tank for many years hope this helps
 
My female retic is outgrowing her 120 (4x2 footprint) imo a 180 wouldn't do for her either for life... imo rays really do need that 30"+ width to be happy. what retics lack in disk size they make up for with activity and tail length. hystrix imo are the "smallest" ray because they are built more like motoro's. and I would hesitate to say a 180 will hold one for life, a male is much more likely to stay smaller then a female reguardless of species. can it be done? probablly for awhile, but i think long-term people run into stunting issues with rays in small tanks.

I haven't owned anything other then retics so I can't say how hardy other species are but other then de-worming them ( as imo all wild fish caught should be) and bulking them up, they are often very skinny when you get them. They aren't complicated fish to maintaine just dirty fish.. so filtration, ect is key.
 
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