New Hystrix for the 300 & Question

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jan 26, 2010
1,111
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NJ, USA
I couldn't pass up the great sale AquaScape Online had on their Hystrix, and judging by the new threads popping up, it looks like they sold a lot of them to MFK'ers. Interested to hear how they work out for everybody.

I picked up a male and female on Saturday, and they've eaten frozen blackworms every day, so far so good.

Can anybody with experience on the wrong end of a barb describe how they sting. Can they reach quickly over their body like a scorpion? Are there warning signs that they're getting mad? I guess what I'm wondering is should I keep my hand totally out of the tank? I've been trying to drop the blackworms in front of them but sometimes I miss so I have to push them in front of the rays. After a couple days settling in, this probably isn't necessary though.

Now onto the pictures... :D

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If the rays are moving around they'll find the food. And yes, they soon learn you're the food wagon and will learn to anticipate.

I haven't been tagged but I've seen one of my females act scorpion-like when a male has been trying to mate with her. I'd also expect them to side-swipe if they felt it necessary. Rays don't just tag people for fun, they usually need to feel threatened and that escape and burying themselves won't help.

I don't keep my hands out but I'm respectful and avoid making them feel threatened.

Great to see them in a nice sized tank from day 1!
 
Thanks for the response Pete, I appreciate it. I've never understood the buy now, upgrade later mentality either. I mean, you can get away with that on some things, but people buying rays for their 75 or 125 to upgrade later just isn't for me.

You're right - it's only been a couple of days and they're anticipating already.

I've been whipped by an iguana tail plenty of times, but now that there's stingers involved, I won't be taking any chances!
 
pre warning is the ray's tail in the up position.... also they will strike over their body or any way they can...more of a strike and run... seen my hystrix kill my jardini over a piece of shrimp....crazy/sad sight.....


as far as food i would just drop the live worms in the sand, the rays will come around and eat the worms hiding in the sand, breed em so i can buy some off you for my 300.....GL

rays are calm and would rather get out of the way. just use caution when putting your hands on the bottom...
 
There are plenty of warning signs that you will see as you become more aware of your rays natural mood and behavior. When I have the algae magnet by my rays they will lift up and slam down on the sand as kind of a warning I am getting too close if pressed further they will just swim away. I would imagine the only way you would get nailed is if you either surprised the ray or where harassing it badly enough it felt it couldn't escape by just swimming away.

Rays are probably the most interactive fish I have ever kept you will get to know each other before too long.

Congrats on the pick up :)
 
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