Researching potential hystrix for my 180g

[NixMix]

Hey everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted on MFK. I'm at it again.

I've been throwing the idea around in my head about getting a hystrix for my 180g. I'm concerned about my current fish possibly bothering it. Here's what I have in that tank.

1 gibbiceps pleco
1 BGK
1 Paratheraps bifasciatus
2 firemouths
1 salvini
1 EBJD
1 rotkeil severum
1 gold severum
1 green texas

Info about the tank:
6' x 2' x 2'
1 Fluval FX5
1 Magnum 350
2 powerful aerators
1-2 watts/gallon lighting (DIY)
rounded pea gravel/small egg gravel
2 powerheads
1 large driftwood stump and several driftwood pieces

I'll attach a picture of the tank overall so you can get an idea. I don't have a problem of removing some of the driftwood and rocks to make room for a decent sized hystrix. I'm more concerned about the fish population. Also, I'm aware that I'll need to take out a few fish to make up for the bioload if I do end up getting a ray. In this case, I would remove the firemouths and gold severum for starters.

Feel free to leave me some advice in regards to making room for a possible new ray.

Thanks, guys!

 

[P.A.NativesBPM]

Never kept a ray, maybe never will, but I know that basic ray husbandry includes never keeping one with a large pleco.


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[FishDog]

Nice looking tank. My only concerns would be the pleco bothering the ray and the amount of biological filtration. The filtration should be okay when the ray is small but you will need to increase it as it grows. Maybe ditch the 350 and put another fx5 on the tank.

 

[Slippery K]

Plecos tend to suck on the rays disk. Im also looking to get a hystrix in the next few months when I setup a new 200gal tank. I only have 2 other fish that will co-hab the tank with it so im not too concerned about bio loads. Im already a "neat freak" on all my tanks as it is.

Good luck with your possible new ray though. I hear they make great fish if you can properly care for one.

 

[blksubykid]

First off, nice tank!

My first recommendation would be to upgrade filtration by adding another FX-5 or if possible a sump. Next, I would remove the Pleco and all the cichlids besides the severums and MAYBE EBJD. Then maybe free up some floor plan by removing some of the decor on the left side of the tank and if possible switch substrate to sand.

Just my $0.02

 

[Arowana Breeder]

if you want a ray you need sand and alot of ground space

 

[Arowana Breeder]

aquascapeonline.com sells hystrix and also many other kinds of rays check em out

 

[Chub_by]

Remove the pleco..users above me stated one reason to do so, and also gibbi's have huge bioloads, which means taking out the gibbi will compensate a LOT more of the rays bioload than taking out a small cichlid like an FM

 

[NixMix]

I'm a wee bit too attached to my gibby. Lol my FM's have too much aggression between the two, hence the removal of one.

As far as ray type...would you recommend any particular species? From my research the hystrix maxes out around a foot.

Like I said though, I'm only considering a ray at the moment. So any info you could give me that would help would be awesome. Thanks guys!

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[P.A.NativesBPM]

Well, if you have to have a ray, the gibby comes out. You have to choose. Ray or pleco. Not both. That's one small reason why I'm building another tank for rays.


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