Public aquarium touch tanks

[Kwazy]

Hi,
I visited a public aquarium today and stumbled across a lovely touch tank with a VERY sweet helendi and leopoldi. They were both females and about 24" across the disc. I spent about 3 hours sitting around the tank petting and watching these rays, and as I was there, maybe 150 people came by and pet them. The only times they "acted up" was when a little boy grabbed the leo's tail. All she did in response was swim to the other side of the tank quite quickly. The second time is when the helendi got hungry and spit water at me, just like my rays do.

They have to remove the barbs on the rays for public safety (even though I doubt they would ever use them), and I was wondering how do they do it?

Just a few things I would like to point out:
1.) I am NOT going to try it on my rays.
2.) I am very cautious around rays, and am a little scared of them to this day, even though I've had my rays for a long time and have loved every second of it.
3.) I know rays are not dangerous in any way as long as they are properly respected, cared for, and given their space.

Thanks for your time!

 

[bahamaqt00]

I feel bad for those rays with everyone touching them and whatnot. Doesn't that mess with their slime coat? Hopefully most parents will keep their kids from grabbing tails and all that!

 

[ChiroHorn]

Where is the public aquarium located?

 

[Just Toby]

Where is the public aquarium located?

It would help if peoples location was based at least on a country so that we can work some of this out instead of silly comments like "Here, or in my house etc..."

From the grumpy forum man!

 

[sam buckle]

It would help if peoples location was based at least on a country so that we can work some of this out instead of silly comments like "Here, or in my house etc..."

From the grumpy forum man!

some people on here have different locations as rays are illegal where they live. others meanwhile are just doing it to annoy you!

 

[Just Toby]

some people on here have different locations as rays are illegal where they live. others meanwhile are just doing it to annoy you!

I only really mentioned it as the reply asked where the touch pool was - they both have silly locations so I thought it ironic to point out that if they atleast had their country they would know something.

If in an illegal state they could just add USA?

 

[kdrun76]

They are cut off with the fish under mild anesthetic. Larger rays have a small bone saw used on them, smaller rays can get trimmed with a big nail clippers.

No, touching them is not hard on their slime coat.

Cow nosed rays are very common in aquarium touch tanks.

 

[polish]

It would help if peoples location was based at least on a country so that we can work some of this out instead of silly comments like "Here, or in my house etc..."

From the grumpy forum man!

Agreed, I find that very annoying.

Bump for knowing where this place is...

 

[Kwazy]

They are cut off with the fish under mild anesthetic. Larger rays have a small bone saw used on them, smaller rays can get trimmed with a big nail clippers.

No, touching them is not hard on their slime coat.

Cow nosed rays are very common in aquarium touch tanks.

Ok, so they just trim the barb every 2 or 3 weeks then?
And the aquarium is in Minnesota, sorry for the confusion.
Stingrays are legal there.

Also, in the USA I know public aquariums, research facilities, and zoos can get permits to keep illegal species, for example asian arowana and snake head.

 

[kdrun76]

They get trimmed as needed, I think its about every 6-8 weeks.