Retic growth rate and care?

[rumblesushi]

How fast do retic's usually grow per month/year etc?

And what is the best diet for them?

And what temp is best for them, do they like a lot of flow?

Cheers,
Joe

 

[Deathcurl]

Retics are pretty slow growing iirc. I started with them ages ago. They are very intolerant of water parameter changes so constant monitoring of water parameters is needed. Once they get larger, they become a little bit easier though. The key is getting them to that point.

With regard to food, you'll find yourself feeding them blackworms and possibly small rosy reds at the onset. Then you can try to experiment with cut fish, shrimp, squid, etc. The problem is that their mouths are so small when they are young that you'll be cutting splinters of food for them. Frozen mysis shrimp and krill offers another option, but it will take some time to get them on it.

I've kept all of my rays in some sort of current going, along with a lot of oxygenation. Temperature of my tanks is about 78-82 on average. Hope this helps!

 

[michael]

I think you can expect some growth till like 8", like maybe 2-3" a year after that maybe an inch or so a year. My 12"+ retic is probably done growing and is just a pit for food. It takes down the same size shrimp as my 24"otorongo

 

[Da AmAzOn DoN]

The key to ray growth is plenty of food and lots of water changes

 

[Honda12]

I got my little retic from about 3in to 6in in three months before I sold her.

Best thing to fatten them up with and to get the best results in growth is with live blackworms if you can get them. Also earth worms if they take them, mine wouldn't for some reason.

Mine right away though would accept bloodworms and mysis shrimp. Also would accept squid.

I could never get her on smelt or shrimp though, while I had her.

What I did for my water changes was 50% once or twice a week. I kept the tank at 84*F.

 

[redtailfool]

I got mine at 8 inches and it was pretty much the same care as the others. Its not as aggressive at feeding time and i recommend smaller pieces of food as compared to motoros.

 

[rumblesushi]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

How active are they compared to other rays?

Here in Spain I can't get feeders on blackworms, so I'd have to feed mealworms and bloodworms.

Honda, I've seen the video of your retic. Real cute little thing, looked active too. I'm surprised you sold it.