How difficult are rays to keep?

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J

JenTN

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 17, 2007
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Knoxville, TN
Please be honest. I have read a lot of the threads in here and followed them for months. I saw my first freshwater stingray for sale 12 years ago and have wanted one ever since.

I am not an experienced fishkeeper. I have a 55 gal and a 5 gal that I have had up and running since January.

I have talked to my dad and my hubby about constructing a ray pond in our basement. I would love to have one but I am wondering if I need a whole lot more fish experience to own rays. I just want honest feedback from experienced raykeepers. There is a lot of confliciting info out there!

Lastly, would a 5'x6' pond be large enough? Provided I buy the right sized ray?

TIA
 
Well I'll say that my story is rare so wait for other people to give you a better idea.

When I got my ray I had a 60 gallon tank and about 3 mounths of aquarium hobby under my belt. I started out with a retic, saposidly one of the harder rays. I was doing water changes once a mounth and feeding a blood worm cube a day. Lets just say then i found mfk and people like miles and nic save me. Now i have a 150 gallon stingray pond and doing water changes a whole lot more than once a mounth (still should be doiing more but...). I wouls suggest to start with a motoro the are said to be the hardiest. Imo a 5'X6' pound will be fine for around 3 motoros. Some people will tell you "oh no thats not big enough for life motoros get 36in" but there are very few motoros over 24", Agian just my opinion and people will probabley have diffrent to say. Hope this helps.
 
I guess it depends on what you define as high demand/difficult? Do you mind spending lots of money on food? Mind LOTS of water changes? If not then a ray might work for you...
 
The food I don't mind. I have a lab/great dane puppy and I don't want to calculate how much I spend on him a month, lol.

As for water changes, I could do 2 or maybe 3 a week. I don't know, maybe more. I change my 55 gal (African cichlids) 25%-30% once a week. I was doing it 2x weekly but the lady at the lfs said I was doing it too much.

I just love my fish (well all my pets) so much and they put me at peace just watching them. I love teaching my kids about nature, animals, and how to be a good owner.
 
If you are going to be building a pond (I'd assume you are going to use a wet/dry), why not set up a drip system at the same time? That would solve the water change problem, and the water will be more stable.
 
frnchjeep;2116997; said:
If you are going to be building a pond (I'd assume you are going to use a wet/dry), why not set up a drip system at the same time? That would solve the water change problem, and the water will be more stable.
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I'll have to look into that, thanks! I have full plumbing in the basement. I planned on using the sink down there for the w/c but a drip system would be better.
 
My two cents...It doesn't really matter how inexperienced you are with rays as long as you are willing to do the research and what is necessary to keep them healthy. IMO, MFK is a good start! The biggest thing about ray-keeping is insuring water quality, proper housing and husbandry, and feeding. It sounds like you're like me and enjoy all the "work" that goes along with fish-keeping. Personally, I enjoy doing water changes...Sounds kind of weird but its sort of like bonding time with me and my fish. Until I get a 500 + gallon tank (my largest tank is 380gallon), I will continue to do manual water changes as opposed to utilizing a drip system...That's just me though.

Anyway, its not very difficult if you start out on a good foot...meaning perfect water parameters (proper/adequate filtration), enough space and room for them to be comfortable and grow, and feeding healthily and properly. When I started out (6 years ago), I did not have the advantage of the advice of more experienced ray-keepers (like those here on MFK). But even in my six years of experience, I think I've learned more from being a member here on MFK. It seems the answers to all of my questions, comments, and/or concerns are answered by merely logging on to MFK. I encourage you to continue to utilize MFK as an educational tool and Good Luck with your future rays!!!
 
Kolossus;2117833; said:
My two cents...It doesn't really matter how inexperienced you are with rays as long as you are willing to do the research and what is necessary to keep them healthy. IMO, MFK is a good start! The biggest thing about ray-keeping is insuring water quality, proper housing and husbandry, and feeding. It sounds like you're like me and enjoy all the "work" that goes along with fish-keeping. Personally, I enjoy doing water changes...Sounds kind of weird but its sort of like bonding time with me and my fish. Until I get a 500 + gallon tank (my largest tank is 380gallon), I will continue to do manual water changes as opposed to utilizing a drip system...That's just me though.

Anyway, its not very difficult if you start out on a good foot...meaning perfect water parameters (proper/adequate filtration), enough space and room for them to be comfortable and grow, and feeding healthily and properly. When I started out (6 years ago), I did not have the advantage of the advice of more experienced ray-keepers (like those here on MFK). But even in my six years of experience, I think I've learned more from being a member here on MFK. It seems the answers to all of my questions, comments, and/or concerns are answered by merely logging on to MFK. I encourage you to continue to utilize MFK as an educational tool and Good Luck with your future rays!!!
Click to expand...

I would have to say that I completely agree.

The greatest difficulty that most inexperienced fishkeepers have with rays is a lack of understanding as to what is required of them to keep these fish. It sounds like you have a good understanding of the requirements already. Just keep doing your research.
 
Yes, if I do get them I plan on buying several books and being really mindful of the water params. I've never been an impluse adopter/buyer when it comes to pets, in fact sometimes I "over research" and get a bit frustrated and confused, lol. I just want a basic idea of the work involved before I start a massive undertaking of building a large pond.

I too enjoy my water changes- my africans always come to "investigate" me, lol. Tonight I had a msobo juvinile eating pellets from my finger at feeding time :D I love interactive fish!
 
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