How long after stinger shed do you take it out?

[Zoodiver]

I'd pull it right away. Boil it. And as posted, start your collection.

 

[spwd]

How often do they shed their stingers,sorry if its a stupid question but if in doubt ask, we will get our first rays at the weekend so trying to learn as much as possible before we get them,reading books etc,which we have been doing for a while but now were getting some its like a power revision/information session going on lol.



Steve

 

[Just Toby]

How often do they shed their stingers,sorry if its a stupid question but if in doubt ask, we will get our first rays at the weekend so trying to learn as much as possible before we get them,reading books etc,which we have been doing for a while but now were getting some its like a power revision/information session going on lol.



Steve

From what I have read on here it seems to be 2-3 times per year...I too am new to rays though.

 

[spwd]

Cheers toby.


Steve

 

[Zoodiver]

Depends on species, diet and living conditions. Some will grow four or more, some will have a single barb for over a year.

 

[Arozilla]

Yea, i saw some of the stingers that members on this board collect from their rays and boy, 5-6inch stingers are monsters.

 

[FireMedic]

I grab 'em out as soon as I see them only because one of my females has a "spine-habit". For some reason she chews on 'em. I can hear it at night, this is how I know they have shed.

I have an old toothbrush that I have set aside for cleaning spines. I put a little hydrogen peroxide in a small cup and give the spines a little scrubbing with the toothbrush. I am not worried about being impaled by the shed spine or the "venom". I just like the way they look after a little peroxide. I usually give them away to friends for fun. (with a small safety briefing of course).

Ok, -FM

 

[Zoodiver]

Not a FW ray, but you get the idea of what a cleaned barb looks like: