Reticulated Rays, max size/tank requirements

[PoopSmart]

I have been reading up on rays and have noticed these to be the smaller than other rays. They aren't a beginner ray though since they aren't as hardy as some of the other rays.

My only question is really how big do they get and what is a reasonable price for these?

LFS all around here have them for around 130 for little 5 inch pups. Also what would be a reasonable size tank for these rays FOR LIFE. I have seen these little rays in anything from 20 gallon long barebottom tanks to 180 gallon sand bottom tanks. When I ask my LFS them questions about them they ask me even more questions (I was once asked what they were supposed to eat).

Also, what should they eat? I thought market shrimp either shelled or de-shelled and some types of fish cuts that could be bought at a grocery. Its normal for them to be hungry nearly all the time too, correct?

The ones at my LFS do look pretty well taken care of though, they are very very active and they like to run up the sides of the tanks with portions of their disc poking out. But how can I be sure that they are truly healthy? Should I ask them to feed them and see if they eat?

And lastly, what is a prime example of a young reticulated ray or one at the 5 inch size? What is the pattern or color? I want to make sure that it is a reticulated ray that I am seeing at my LFS.

 

[stingray man]

Well first of all always always ask to see the rays eat if u can.
130 is really hight for a retic but some places are alot more i got mine for 60.
For food blood worms, shrimp, worms, pelets wat ever you can get them on.
If they are active and eating the are probley healthy.
Retic patterns are completly dif. i will try and find a pic of mine

 

[stingray man]

Well first of all always always ask to see the rays eat if u can.
130 is really hight for a retic but some places are alot more i got mine for 60.
For food blood worms, shrimp, worms, pelets wat ever you can get them on.
If they are active and eating the are probley healthy.
Retic patterns are completly dif. i will try and find a pic of mine

pics

 

[Nic]

130 bucks is a rip off.... a 180 tank 6x2x2 should be considered the minimum for any ray....there was a member on here with a 18" retic before thats the biggest i have heard of

 

[darcy12877]

ya 130 is a high price but it depends if its really hard to get rays were you live. retics in my city go for between $100-$150 but instead of paying that I talked to my boss at the fish store i work at and he ordered me in some for about $50. So just look around and see if you can get some shipped to you so that you can save some money, alo i have some pics of mine if you want to take a look at adults (mine are almost full grown, not sompletly yet. They live in a 150gallon.

 

[Miles]

I have been reading up on rays and have noticed these to be the smaller than other rays. They aren't a beginner ray though since they aren't as hardy as some of the other rays.

They are just as hardy as any other ray, just usually more often neglected because of their low cost and abundance.

My only question is really how big do they get and what is a reasonable price for these?

With their elongated tails, adults have been known to reach 30" in total length..

My LFS sells them for about $50-60..

LFS all around here have them for around 130 for little 5 inch pups. Also what would be a reasonable size tank for these rays FOR LIFE?

for Life.. ehhhh.. 72x30"?? Most people will say 72x24".. tough call. 96x36" would be optimal.

Also, what should they eat?

When young, they usually eat blackworms, bloodworms, and mysis shrimp, then onto worms, krill and seafood as they grow..

Its normal for them to be hungry nearly all the time too, correct?

Only if they aren't being fed until they are full they do have tiny stomachs and fast metabolisms..

But how can I be sure that they are truly healthy? Should I ask them to feed them and see if they eat?

watching them eat is a great way to see if they are healthy.. If you can watch them for a few weeks to monitor weight loss, that helps too.. expect to do a preventative treatment for internal parasites, if the LFS doesn't.

And lastly, what is a prime example of a young reticulated ray or one at the 5 inch size? What is the pattern or color? I want to make sure that it is a reticulated ray that I am seeing at my LFS.

http://www.stingraysource.com/StingraySource/dreamline/magdalenae.htm
http://www.stingraysource.com/StingraySource/dreamline/pmagdalenae.htm
You might like these links..

-Miles
ps. I work for PS

 

[Nic]

ya 130 is a high price but it depends if its really hard to get rays were you live. retics in my city go for between $100-$150 but instead of paying that I talked to my boss at the fish store i work at and he ordered me in some for about $50. So just look around and see if you can get some shipped to you so that you can save some money, alo i have some pics of mine if you want to take a look at adults (mine are almost full grown, not sompletly yet. They live in a 150gallon.

sorry to say they are not fully grown besides michaels i ahve seen many of other large retic pics over 15"

 

[PoopSmart]

Wow thank you so much for this info. I am really surprised how fast the responses were. Thanks a ton miles, I read a lot of your posts on here, helpful as always.

Problem here is that retic rays are at the minimum 100$ and at the max 130$. It is expensive, but the cheaper fish store just knows they have to be cheaper than the other fish store in STL ($130 one) so they make their fish a little cheaper.

I had no idea they were as hardy as other rays. I am really surprised and excited as I thought to have any FW ray you had to have a pond.

How do SA or CA cichlids fare with these rays? I am thinking maybe severums, or sajicas, or soemthing of that sort. Nothing aggressive really. If those are too aggressive then what about discus? or Angels?

thanks again

 

[Nic]

dicus and angels are kept with rays a lot and I have seen people with severums in there as well

 

[Miles]

Severums, Uaru, Geos, Discus, Angels, and Snooks all seem to be suitable SA cichlid tankmates for Rays.. issues you will have is feeding requirements, water quality, and size/aggression..

Some fish (snooks) can be aggressive eaters, and eat all your food..

Some fish do better in groups with rays (discus) and then water quality can become an issue..

and size/aggression can play a roll depending on the size of your stingray in comparison to it's tankmates (a big ray will kill tankmates).. and some fish, if they pair off, can be particularly nasty to the rays ~ such as a breeding pair of Severums..

Alot of trial and error, observation, and experience comes into play when mixing 'questionable' tankmates.. they really do best by themselves, with maybe a few dithers to act as a cleanup crew.. In with my retics I use 10 black skirts and 3 juvie severums to help clean up krill scraps. If they eat the skirts o well and the severums are only 3" and will hopefully grow up nicely with the rays.. If they pair off, they will have to go.