How do they do it?

[Kwazy]

Hi,
I'm not going to try it, but how do they de barb rays for public aquariums and stuff?

Thanks.

 

[ShadowStryder]

I could be wrong but I thought they just clipped the stinger off where it eventually grew back.

 

[Kwazy]

Thats what I thought. Some of the rays in the touch tank at the Denver Aquarium actually had stingers when I visited there. I think they fixed that problem though.

How do you think they make the ray let them clip it off? Maybe the good old wet gauze over the eyes trick? Maybe someone holds it still while another trims?

 

[Gshock]

Thats what I thought. Some of the rays in the touch tank at the Denver Aquarium actually had stingers when I visited there. I think they fixed that problem though.

How do you think they make the ray let them clip it off? Maybe the good old wet gauze over the eyes trick? Maybe someone holds it still while another trims?

Get the ray in a smaller container so the ray cant move. Get a towel to hold the tail. Trim it, and let it go.

 

[fishy12]

Get the ray in a smaller container so the ray cant move. Get a towel to hold the tail. Trim it, and let it go.

Sounds too easy i bet something always goes wrong...

 

[Kwazy]

Yeah. Maybe they wear chainmail gloves LOL

 

[phillydog1958]

that's a good post. i've always wondered about how they de-barbed rays. so they do grow back . . .? interesting . . . the barb is the one reason why i probably will never own a ray.

 

[Kwazy]

I'm not going to fight you on that phillydog,
But the rays are so friendly. I handfeed mine and they still have barbs. i let the rays do all the work though. You just hold the food at the top up on the glass with 2 fingers.

 

[Gshock]

Yeah. Maybe they wear chainmail gloves LOL

Ive done it multiple times to remove tubes that shippers put on ray's stinger to prevent them from poking the bag in case it goes infected. Also done that many times to put the tube on when im shipping rays out. I've even completely lifted rays out of the water to remove body lice. its not all that dangerous, just do it and dont hesitate.

 

[Gshock]

that's a good post. i've always wondered about how they de-barbed rays. so they do grow back . . .? interesting . . . the barb is the one reason why i probably will never own a ray.

every couple months, a new one grows under it and the old one is shed.