i wouldn't go with retics for a first time ray. there stubborn and require way more attention. a motoro is way more hardy and eats heavily and easily. i never got my retic to eat, it died after 30 days. my motoro is freakin crazy and i can't get her to calm down lol. she eats everything. she gets angry when my rtc has shrimp and she dont cuz she can taste it in the water so she chases the rtc around til the rtc swallows it. i end up feeding her 4-10 shrimp per feeding but i enjoy it because i wanna see her grow.