Has anyone kept cownose rays?

[M@T!@$]

I know this is a bit early to say but I have always loved cownose rays, at the moment i have thoughts of doing underwater welding so as of right now I have no plans of keeping them, but in 10-15 years yes I plan on. I just was wondering if anyone on here has ever had experience with them and housing, I hope to move on to Florida because it is just crazy out here in Vancouver. Would something like a 24 foot diameter circle tanks work? And is it ok to mix them with like a white tip reef shark or one black tip reef shark?

I know Matt zoo diver had some experience with them

 

[Ppoeschl]

24' diameter tank would be perfect for a group of them. How deep were you planning?

Unfortunately blacktip reefs and whitetips likely will predate on these rays. I have kept small to medium size Sharpnose, and up to adult bonnetheads with them.
I have found they work great with Hemiscyllids, tropical guitarfish species, Dasyatis, Urobatis, and even clearnose skates.

 

[Thekid]

P Ppoeschl can you keep one singly or a pair in an 8'-10' pool?

Or would you always keep them in groups?

 

[M@T!@$]

24' diameter tank would be perfect for a group of them. How deep were you planning?

Unfortunately blacktip reefs and whitetips likely will predate on these rays. I have kept small to medium size Sharpnose, and up to adult bonnetheads with them.
I have found they work great with Hemiscyllids, tropical guitarfish species, Dasyatis, Urobatis, and even clearnose skates.

View attachment 1169732

Oh I also love bonnets, how many rays could you keep in 24 foot diameter? Bonnethead a maybe 2 of them? I believe I would make it something like 4 feet deep, but that may change later when I actually have moved as I said

Thank you for the information

 

[Ppoeschl]

It depends highly on the amount of filtration you are willing to buy and water changes willing to perform. We have kept 25 adult cownose in a 20' pool that ran two sand filters and a biotower, but I ran through water quickly and pH and D.O. we're always concerns. 10 adults were a comfortable number. Also take into account that quarantine is something that is fairly important with these animals.

 

[Ppoeschl]

P Ppoeschl can you keep one singly or a pair in an 8'-10' pool?

Or would you always keep them in groups?

Only small pups... But they will quickly outgrow a system this size.

 

[Thekid]

Only small pups... But they will quickly outgrow a system this size.

So what's a comfortable number and a comfortable diameter?

 

[M@T!@$]

Only small pups... But they will quickly outgrow a system this size.

It depends highly on the amount of filtration you are willing to buy and water changes willing to perform. We have kept 25 adult cownose in a 20' pool that ran two sand filters and a biotower, but I ran through water quickly and pH and D.O. we're always concerns. 10 adults were a comfortable number. Also take into account that quarantine is something that is fairly important with these animals.

Oh yes, I am still researching..many things I hope to make myself like sumps, atos ect.. But I will definitely by looking into some good brand skimmers, I was thinking of like a 2000 gallon barrel that will top off with fresh RoDi water. Is there some brand of pt skimmer that has worked well with you? I just hope to gather enough information on how much I would be looking to spend, building, livestock, filtration cost, and other expenses, as of right now I got some freshwater aquariums which I am going to be expanding this summer, but my hopes are to soon make this dream come true


Thanks

 

[joe jaskot]

I've caught some cownose rays while fishing. They were over 3 feet long and powerful. Don't see how anyone can keep em long term.

 

[kerimo]

24' diameter tank would be perfect for a group of them. How deep were you planning?

Unfortunately blacktip reefs and whitetips likely will predate on these rays. I have kept small to medium size Sharpnose, and up to adult bonnetheads with them.
I have found they work great with Hemiscyllids, tropical guitarfish species, Dasyatis, Urobatis, and even clearnose skates.

View attachment 1169732

What was your experience with bonnets in that tank? I'm advised against introducing one in in my 7500 gallon tank. But I really think that it will really lift the tank off!