I would like some info on the blue spotted ray. Size, food, tank requirements, ect. Also, my local LFS often gets in a "cortez" stingray but I can't find any info on them online. They said they stay smaller. They are a sandy color. Anyone heard of them or know anything about them?
ray info
- Thread starter sixpack_ey
- Start date
Well - there's actually two species stingrays known - the Blue spotted Ray.
The most common species found in Home Aquaria is The Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray (Taeniura lymma). This species grows to about 27.5" (about 70 cm), and known to have a very low survival rate in captivity. So even though it's a popular species, it's really not suited for home aquaria.
The second species - Bluespotted Stingray (Dasyatis kuhlii) is much rarer, and a total length of about 26" (67cm). But generally this species is consider to a much hardier species, that better suited for survival in captivity.
As for the Cortez Stingray (Urobatis maculatus) - is actually an excellent species for home aquaria. It's maximum length is about 16" (41 cm). It's one of the round rays like the California Round Ray, and the Yellow Stingray, both smaller than either. The general recommendation is the Cortez needs a tank that is at least 180 gallons (note - "Aquarium Sharks & Rays - by Scott W Michael). And is usually consider to be a fairly hardy species.
By the way - you should consider picking up a copy of that book - if you seriously considering getting a SW ray - lots of useful info for sharks & rays in home aquaria.
The most common species found in Home Aquaria is The Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray (Taeniura lymma). This species grows to about 27.5" (about 70 cm), and known to have a very low survival rate in captivity. So even though it's a popular species, it's really not suited for home aquaria.
The second species - Bluespotted Stingray (Dasyatis kuhlii) is much rarer, and a total length of about 26" (67cm). But generally this species is consider to a much hardier species, that better suited for survival in captivity.
As for the Cortez Stingray (Urobatis maculatus) - is actually an excellent species for home aquaria. It's maximum length is about 16" (41 cm). It's one of the round rays like the California Round Ray, and the Yellow Stingray, both smaller than either. The general recommendation is the Cortez needs a tank that is at least 180 gallons (note - "Aquarium Sharks & Rays - by Scott W Michael). And is usually consider to be a fairly hardy species.
By the way - you should consider picking up a copy of that book - if you seriously considering getting a SW ray - lots of useful info for sharks & rays in home aquaria.
I agree, blue spots are not good rays for captivity at all....home or otherwise.
Cortez make great captive animals. They are hardy, stay small, eat like champs and are fairly easy to get. I'd get a fairly wide and shallow tank. It's all about footprint, not about tank volume when it comes to rays.
Cortez make great captive animals. They are hardy, stay small, eat like champs and are fairly easy to get. I'd get a fairly wide and shallow tank. It's all about footprint, not about tank volume when it comes to rays.
Yes bluespots are really hard to keep my lfs guy kept a bluespoted for 1 year and that was the longest he had ever kept.