Retic Stingray Breeding

[Bootler]

hi. i have an important question about breeding my reticulated sting ray. first off, is she ready? i know tea cups are smaller rays. she's about 7-8" is she fully grown/mature enough to breed? i've had her for over a year now. she is very calm and adjusted to my tank. she buries herself in the sand only when i try to get these stupid feeders out that keep multiplying themselves. one pregnant feeder guppy snuck in with a batch of ghost shrimp. the net always spooks her and she hides in the sand. she eats well. she eats live and frozen shrimp and blood worms. she is also very friendly with other tank mates. i have of course those dumb guppies, cleaning snails, and a medium sized ghost knife. i want to buy her a boyfriend so i can start breeding them. i saw how my friend made a killing off of breeding motoros and now he breeds leos and black diamonds. i know retics arent worth as much as his but i want to have a similar experience. i also wouldn't mind making money for new tanks and new fish. please inform me and give me tips on this. also, would anyone be interested in buying some retic pups when and if they are born. ha ha. thanks

 

[hereticlosmorte]

mine is around the same size, not ready yet.
my male is slightly larger but you can tell he's not ready either as his claspers aren't unfurled. i've had mine over a year as well, so it might give you a rough indicator. they were 4-6 months old when i bought them, after watching them in the lfs for 2 months.

you won't make very much with the retic pups to be honest. they're worth very little to lfs's. if anything, do it because you like rays and want to be a part of the experience. that's my plan, is to let them have babies, since i know if any profit, it'll be slim. (nothing if you count your care, feeding, and utilities to get the rays to the point they're at to have the pups).

 

[J.Lake]

I dont think thats big enough or old enough for a female. My largest female laticeps which could be called a retic is 18 months old and 7.5 inch disc. They were tiny when I bought the group of pups. i was told by the breeder that it would take a few years at least.

 

[Bootler]

ok thanks guys. i think ill buy a male and see what happens.