New ray question... Please dont think I'm an idiot!!!

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skysdad1999

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 3, 2010
7
0
0
King George Va.
Hello all, I just bought my first ray and I am in love already!!! I have been planning to get one and resarching keeping them for a while and had the conditions all set to bring one in. I planned on buying one or two from World Of Tropicals up in Maryland but just happened to find one in a small shop in Va Beach. The price was unbelievable so I went ahead and bought it (I think its a female). Anyway I'll get to the point, after getting her in the tank I noticed something that I thought might be odd (I know, I should've seen this before I bought her I was just so excited I overlooked it). The only way I can describe what I think is odd is that she has what appears to be a long, black, very thin extension to her tail. I'm not sure if this is normal for this particular breed or if this is some type of deformity. Hopefully you guys who Im sure are much more educated in rays can let me know what you think. I have attached some photos of her, hopefully you can make out what I'm talking about, I know the photos are grainy, my phone camera is all Ive got.
Thanks in advance!!!

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looks to be reticulated. i do not see anything abnormal, not sure what your talking about. Is she eating yet? I would try to get some weight on her.
 
hey its skysdad1999, I changed my name. Yes she is eating, Ive been feeding her brine shrimp and blood worms. Shes not quite pigging out yet but she is eating. Humor me for a second and remember Im a ray rookie, what does reticulated mean???
The odd thing I was talking about is hard to describe, Ill try to be a little more descriptive. She is about 3 1/2", her tail comes out about an inch and a half and then it looks like her tail splits and theres another tail that goes another 2" and its jet black and very thin. Its like the black part of her tail comes from underneath the other tail. Does that make any sense at all?

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Reticulated is the type of ray. They may also be labeled as teacup ray if I'm not mistaken. There are a bunch of different species. My guess is that you are talking about the stinger. It sits about halfway up the tail. Best way to tell is to try and grab it there and see if it hurts. :naughty: just kidding don't do that.
 
This is a normal extension of the tail with this species,most lose this frail part to the tail on import thats all.
You need to either get that ray on a plain glass bottom or with just a fine scattering of sand.....this kind of substrate is totally unsuitable for rays let alone a new import.Apart from the possible damage to the underside of the disc which can lead to infection, this large gravel will harbour uneaten particles of food leading to water problems.
 
Ok maybe Im not such an idiot after all lol. The gravel is coming out soon and being replaced with sand, I just havent done it yet and Im not sure yet what kind of sand to use.
I paid $49.99 for her. Ive seen them for more then tripple that at other shops so when I saw the price I went for it.
Shes about 3 1/2" so far.
 
Rayawana;4505013; said:
Ok maybe Im not such an idiot after all lol. The gravel is coming out soon and being replaced with sand, I just havent done it yet and Im not sure yet what kind of sand to use.
I paid $49.99 for her. Ive seen them for more then tripple that at other shops so when I saw the price I went for it.
Shes about 3 1/2" so far.
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when you remove the gravel, i would do a little at a time. if you remove it all you could have a small mini cycle and they ray may not handle it well.
 
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