New to MFK and interested in keeping a ray

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L8 2 RISE

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 12, 2010
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Northern VA
Hi all,

I joined MFK specifically because I found that there's more info on here than anywhere else on rays and sharks. I don't want anyone to think I'm jumping the gun or anything here, I'm just looking for your knowledge and advice on rays.

I've been in the hobby for 4 years and am in the process of setting up a new 60" X 30" X 21" reef tank (which means 78-80 degree water). I plan on having minimal rock and intend to have most of it in island, tower, or bonsai form (still working on it). I wonder if it would be possible to keep a ray in this tank (specifically blue spot)? I know there are two types of blue spots, ribbon tails and just regular blue spots, but how do you tell the difference and what is the difference in their needs? Would either of them be suited to my tank? If the blue spots wouldn't work, is there a different ray you all would suggest?


TIA!
 
To be honest, I've only seen the ribbontails, but I would guess that the regulars probably have the regular boney tail??? I don't really know, can't find any pics online.

By the way, Welcome!!!
 
typically blue dot sting rays require a lot of attention and still don't do well in captivity. Most people just don't have the best success rates with them. There is only one member that has successfully kept them for quite a while i know of now... he will probably chime in.

For a first time ray owner, i would shoot for a cortez stingray.
 
the member that is successful keeping them is roastreef. I keep California Rounds which are hardy and fairly common. I bought 2 blue spots last week from someone that said he had them for 2 years and ate reguarlly, one has died and the other i am force feeding so maybe best stay away from the blues
 
I've done some more research and it looks like the difference between fantails and regular blue dots is body shape. Here's some good pics:

Fantail:
http://www.elasmodiver.com/Sharkive%20images/Blue%20spotted%20fantail%20ray%20008.jpg

blue dot:
http://www.elasmodiver.com/Sharkive images/blue-spotted-stingray-03.jpg


Given your feedback though, I think I'll steer clear of the blue dots. Do you guys have pics of cortez rays and california rounds? I looked online but found everything from pictures of blue spots labeled as cortez's to "electric rays" (don't know anything about them). What temps are required for cortez's and california rounds respectively?
 
As far as Blue-Spots, the hardier/diamond shaped one (Dasyatis kuhlii) tends to do well in captive settings. Problem is they can be hard to find. The only place I've seen them is bluezooaquatics.com and they tend to sell fast and they don't get more for a while.
 
really I wouldnt put a ray in that size of tank myself unless it was a small pup and you planned on a bigger setup for them. The common ones are ribbon tail bluespots which have more vivid colors than the trigone but like stated before not that hardy unless you are one of the few.
 
Deano1956;4373195; said:
really I wouldnt put a ray in that size of tank myself unless it was a small pup and you planned on a bigger setup for them. The common ones are ribbon tail bluespots which have more vivid colors than the trigone but like stated before not that hardy unless you are one of the few.
Click to expand...


Is this directed at me or the other guy? You think 5'X2.5' is too small? I think I've moved past the blue spots and will stick with one of the "beginner rays"- cortez or california round. I figured I'd just get the smallest one I can find to start. Would this work?
 
Saltwater can be done cheaper, there are smaller speices and you can find just as many cool patterns with marine rays.

I'd avoid blue spots at all cost for a first ray... or second ray for that matter.

Cortez, Round and Yellow rays are where I'd start. They are very hardy animals that take well to captive settings.

The downside to rays and attempting coral is that the ray will TRASH your water quality in regard to coral. That, and rays like to help you rearrange the coral for you, usually leaving it upside down or fallen behind the live rock.
 
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