I have kept motoros for a few years in the UK and have just moved out to live in Northern Thailand.Although I have never attempted to keep Hymentura rays I have heard they are very tricky to keep.They are regularly available from Chatuchak market in Bangkok and I wondered what the chances were of keeping a few together in a suitable size of vat. I was thinking of maybe 10 feet x 4 feet.Anyone on here any had any experiences good or bad with these fish.? Will be visiting a locally famous Black Diamond breeder soon and hope to post photos on here.Look forward to the replies!
Hi from Thailand
- Thread starter ChiangmaiRay
- Start date
Raymann - The Giant Mekong Stingray (Surely you know that) is a Himantura species, Himantura Chaophraya. The most common species, and probably the one the OP can get, is H. Signifer.
@ OP: Why not an outdoor pond? You can go much larger that way.
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@ OP: Why not an outdoor pond? You can go much larger that way.
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With a giant Mekong I would go outside pond! 20 x 10' maybe 4' deep ... I would just buy some black diamonds! They will do great in a 10x4
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I googled the spelling you had in your post. I know about the Mekong stingray but aaa t sure if this was a different ray.
Apologies for my erroneous spelling of Himantura. Yes I think that H. signifer is the one offered at the aquarium market in Bangkok.I dont think that these fish are shipped by the Bangkok tropical fish exporters to the USA although they do appear on their availability lists quite frequently. I imagine that because those offered for sale are usually 12 inches or thereabouts in diameter they would be considered too large to ship successfully to the States given the long haul involved .
Buying locally bred black diamonds, pearls etc would certainly be quite a simple matter but as long as the welfare of the animal is not compromised I would enjoy the experience of attempting to keep a fish which does not appear to have many admirers even here in Thailand.
Arrawana , arapaima, shovelnose and red tail catfish together with alligator gars both regular and albino are commonly seen here especially in artificial fishing lakes catering to western tourists.Native species such as giant Mekong Pangasius and Siamese carp are usually overlooked in favor of South American introductions.Classic case of the grass is always greener etc.
I am a little ashamed to admit that we had red tail catfish in a red curry for dinner just the other night too!
Will try to post some photos of those fish offered for sale when next in Bangkok which is about 400 miles south of Chiangmai where I live.The dealers there in most cases however seem to disapprove of picture taking on their premises for some reason unknown to myself.
As an aside I have read today that the giant Chao Phraya stingray is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN red book. It's a shame and a pity that the fish mongers and leather belt makers don't understand and care about that status given the numbers consumed ( literally ) by those professions. Thankyou everyone for all your imput so far.
Buying locally bred black diamonds, pearls etc would certainly be quite a simple matter but as long as the welfare of the animal is not compromised I would enjoy the experience of attempting to keep a fish which does not appear to have many admirers even here in Thailand.
Arrawana , arapaima, shovelnose and red tail catfish together with alligator gars both regular and albino are commonly seen here especially in artificial fishing lakes catering to western tourists.Native species such as giant Mekong Pangasius and Siamese carp are usually overlooked in favor of South American introductions.Classic case of the grass is always greener etc.
I am a little ashamed to admit that we had red tail catfish in a red curry for dinner just the other night too!
Will try to post some photos of those fish offered for sale when next in Bangkok which is about 400 miles south of Chiangmai where I live.The dealers there in most cases however seem to disapprove of picture taking on their premises for some reason unknown to myself.
As an aside I have read today that the giant Chao Phraya stingray is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN red book. It's a shame and a pity that the fish mongers and leather belt makers don't understand and care about that status given the numbers consumed ( literally ) by those professions. Thankyou everyone for all your imput so far.