Maybe adding a second ray - size difference question

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Reedmaster16

Reedmaster16

Piranha
MFK Member
Oct 13, 2005
652
235
76
Ohio
Hey everyone,

I needed some advice on possibly adding a second ray to my tank 96" x 36" x 22". I recently acquired a 8-9" Orbignyi (male) and he is incredible. Extremely healthy, eating nonstop, active, and no aggression whatsoever to his three smaller non-ray tankmates.

My question is, would it be too risky to add a ~ 7" motoro (female) to the same tank? From researching images online the male 9" Orbignyi's claspers are close but not fully mature yet. Would the female be in danger due to being smaller than the male? Could the growth rate of the motoro female allow her to catchup in size and offset the potential risk?

I am relatively new to rays and I wanted to check and get the expert opinion here before making any decisions.

Thanks

-Reed
 
I would think they would be fine. Motoros especially females grow quickly so the small size difference shouldn't matter.
 
I would start with the tank divided and once the new ray is eating normally again after the transfer and has a chance to get used to it's surroundings you can remove the divider.

I just feel like the most important part of the process is when the new ray is first added and you may be able to avoid future problems by starting on the safe side. This will also give them a chance to kind of feel each other out through the divider
 
Excellent thank you guys so much for the informative detailed responses. I really appreciate all the help.

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When I do allow them to interact is there anything specific that I should look for regarding hostile behavior that would warrant dividing them again. I dont want to overreact and mistake aggression for playing and vice versa.

Again, thank you KNH, scott s, and Johno. Most of my background information has come from reading your threads or your contributions to threads.

Reguards,
-Reed
 
i step in when actual damage is done to one party.
often times my rays will top each other, especially when food is added to the tank, but they don't do any damage to the other, it's more of a territorial display to get the other to bugger off (usually doesn't work either). if you notice them starting to actually bite each other and leaving damage, then you separate them.

this is why it would be a good idea to partition them off to start. use eggcrate from hardware stores, cut to size and held in place with suction cups. they can see, interact with each other through the eggcrate, get used to each other, etc.
otherwise, the topping and other behavior could stress one of them to the point of not eating/dying.
 
Rays at that size normally don't show much aggression unless perhaps over food. I've kept rays ranging from 4to15" together without aggression. The main thing is to make sure they are both eating. Once they are breeding size the male will bite the female around the back of the disc but you should have some time before that happens. Good luck.
 
hereticlosmorte said:
i step in when actual damage is done to one party.
often times my rays will top each other, especially when food is added to the tank, but they don't do any damage to the other, it's more of a territorial display to get the other to bugger off (usually doesn't work either). if you notice them starting to actually bite each other and leaving damage, then you separate them.

this is why it would be a good idea to partition them off to start. use eggcrate from hardware stores, cut to size and held in place with suction cups. they can see, interact with each other through the eggcrate, get used to each other, etc.
otherwise, the topping and other behavior could stress one of them to the point of not eating/dying.
Click to expand...

Makes alot of sense. Thank you.

KNH said:
Rays at that size normally don't show much aggression unless perhaps over food. I've kept rays ranging from 4to15" together without aggression. The main thing is to make sure they are both eating. Once they are breeding size the male will bite the female around the back of the disc but you should have some time before that happens. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

johno27 said:
Any time, It was only a short time ago I was browsing through here looking to get my first ray. Good luck and I want pictures :)
Click to expand...

Haha absolutely. Hopefully she will be in this weekend and I will start up a thread with pics/vids of the Orbignyi and new addition. Thanks again.
 
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