Q: Ray's stinger

[CHOMPERS]

Can the stinger be removed or clipped back for safety. Will doing so do any harm to the ray?

Also, are the spines (barbs) down a rays back also in part of the venom gland?

 

[rvrrays]

There is no reason to clip or remove the spine. If it is clipped, the remaining spine is still poisonous, just not sharp.

If you are mindful of what you are doing, you have nothing to be worried about. People that get tagged are those that are moving rays out of the way with their hands, cleaning the tank with their bare hands, packaging rays for shipment or making other quick movements that scare the fish.

I have been keeping rays for 10 years and I have never even come close to getting hit.

Colin

 

[AquataHolic420]

stop being a wimp and let the stinger be! they look cool, ive touched my ray and she hasnt even raised her stinger in my direction.. there PEACEFUL!

 

[Deathcurl]

With my rays, I have a couple of dividers in the tank, section them off accordingly and work in the tank in sections. Out of sight, out of mind and safe as can be.

 

[davo]

i see a lot of rays with like a tape on the stinger. what is that?

 

[CHOMPERS]

Ok, then the stinger stays. I have already handled the ray and yes it was very peaceful. I was going to house it in my pond but the wise thing to do is to keep it elsewhere. The pond may get swimmers on occasion, so safety is my main consern.