While it's going to be a couple of tanks away, I'm really interested in Stingrays. Can you mix species? How do you keep aggression down? is it better to keep all males, all females, or a mix of both?
Researching stingrays
- Thread starter Cichlid savage II
- Start date
I've never kept freshwater rays. I did keep 2 saltwater rays for around 2 years a male and a female. The male would chase the female all the time, I'm thinking he wanted to breed and she for whatever reason didn't. She constantly had marks on her from him biting her. I eventually rehomed them to a much larger tank where they eventually bred. I have researched freshwater rays and what I've found is while females tend to get larger they are more docile and get along with other rays easier usually. Males are more aggressive and once sexually mature will want to mate and will harass any females and will possibly fight with other males. If you mix species with males it's possible you'll create hybrids. I don't know how bad that is I see hybrid for sale all the time. I'm sure like with all fish some will look at them like monsters others will be more accepting.
Most of that depends on whether u plan to breed them or not. Males r generally more aggressive, but stay smaller as twentyleagues stated. If u plan to breed, then a group of females is optimal, then u can introduce a male or 2 down the road. If u do not plan to breed, a group of females will still be more docile. But they will get larger than males. As far as mixing species goes, also depends on whether u plan to breed, and whether u want to keep lines pure. They will almost certainly interbreed. Some people like hybrids, some do not. Either way, plan on a massive, efficient system, and take into consideration that feeding rays cost wise is similar to feeding horses. They need top quality foods, and lots of them. Not a cheap date. But well worth it in my opinion. ?
Really good info here. Another point is I never understood why hybrids get so much hate from some people. They occur naturally in the wild ALL the time, so it isn't even a man made "problem". I am now keeping almost exclusively hybrids and they have some of the most intricate patterns I have ever seen.
We share the same view on this issue. At the same time, I have separated my main breeders to keep 100% pure. But plan to hybridized also in the future. Lol. Thanks for the kind words.
I have mainly bought rays I enjoy the pattern of and if they choose to breed, that is their discretion lol. Hybrids occur naturally and I have had several wild caught hybrids imported directly from river to me. Big difference between something with a more intricate pattern vs something like a parrot that is deformed and has issues supporting itself.
Thanks for the info everyone. I think that purchasing rays is at least 2 years away. I'm trying to gather as much info as I can at this point. I have other projects I'm working on at this point. my mind says 108'lx48'dx30'h. Filtration will be some type of large pond type filter. I'm going to concentrate on my SA biotope first, along with a couple other tanks.
