Sexing Flower Ray

[CANAMONSTER]

Because this is ultimately a large species the claspers remain smaller on the males for longer. All rays are sexually dimorphic from birth, you just have to look that much closer with Flowers as the tiny claspers get lost in the folds of the pelvic fins.....I can assure you they are there though.

Makes complete sense and that is exactly what I was told. Just wasn't sure. Learn something new everyday also I would attempt them even with the myths as I know this hobby very well and first hand experience is the best source for info! Thank you Sir!

 

[MEDHBSI]

you must have a monster tank eh. I'll have to upgrade before i can think about getting into the flowers

 

[CANAMONSTER]

you must have a monster tank eh. I'll have to upgrade before i can think about getting into the flowers

So how much bigger do they get exactly? I only have a 400g with a big foot print but if need be I have room for double that size.

 

[festaedan]

If the flower swims up on the glass and you get a good look at them, you should be able to tell. Like other rays the males have claspers (tiny ones when they are babies). I have never kept them but I kept reticulated rays in a 120 with lots of big fish and, honestly, not great water conditions. I had so many people (especially at the lfs) tell me that that will never work. I had a male in that setup for over a year (sold him) and a female for 6 months (died because I forgot to put dechlorinator). Everybody told me that marble motoros are so hardy and my big male gets minor death curl whenever I move the driftwood or do a big water change. You really just have to try them out yourself, every ray is different.

So how much bigger do they get exactly? I only have a 400g with a big foot print but if need be I have room for double that size.

Never thought I would read "I only have a 400g with a big foot print"!

 

[aquaman45]

Hi festaedan,

It is normal for many rays to take on what looked to you as you put it minor death curl. What you are in fact seeing is the ray displaying defense posture by elevating its disc, this for some reason is common in Motoro and Pearl rays, never have I seen it with a black ray. Always be careful when you see this, the tail will quickly follow if you are in range. Death curl is something that is rarely reversible, once a ray develops this death occurs with in a couple of hours usually.

 

[CANAMONSTER]

Hi festaedan,

It is normal for many rays to take on what looked to you as you put it minor death curl. What you are in fact seeing is the ray displaying defense posture by elevating its disc, this for some reason is common in Motoro and Pearl rays, never have I seen it with a black ray. Always be careful when you see this, the tail will quickly follow if you are in range. Death curl is something that is rarely reversible, once a ray develops this death occurs with in a couple of hours usually.

I seen a Motoro getting poked by a stick and its disc curled up especially in the back end and its stinger was almost vertical. Defense mode I guess.

If the flower swims up on the glass and you get a good look at them, you should be able to tell. Like other rays the males have claspers (tiny ones when they are babies). I have never kept them but I kept reticulated rays in a 120 with lots of big fish and, honestly, not great water conditions. I had so many people (especially at the lfs) tell me that that will never work. I had a male in that setup for over a year (sold him) and a female for 6 months (died because I forgot to put dechlorinator). Everybody told me that marble motoros are so hardy and my big male gets minor death curl whenever I move the driftwood or do a big water change. You really just have to try them out yourself, every ray is different.
Never thought I would read "I only have a 400g with a big foot print"!

Lol yes that sounds funny to me too but reality now is that size tank dwarfs compared to many of the fellas on here lol

 

[Ashley106]

Hi festaedan,

It is normal for many rays to take on what looked to you as you put it minor death curl. What you are in fact seeing is the ray displaying defense posture by elevating its disc, this for some reason is common in Motoro and Pearl rays, never have I seen it with a black ray. Always be careful when you see this, the tail will quickly follow if you are in range. Death curl is something that is rarely reversible, once a ray develops this death occurs with in a couple of hours usually.

I have experienced that a lot since the mini shredded its first barb , gets in attack position if am moving tank around

 

[calgaryflames]

I easily trained both my flower and tiger to take prepared foods. In my case the tiger took pellets and frozen foods a lot quicker than the flower did. How many has your friend kept alive for 7-8 years? It's not a myth it's in literature and well known that these and any of the other small eye rays like ceja are among the most difficult to keep rays.
Mostly because capture and time from capture to tank. maybe there is more flights to London from Columbia and Peru but they are very limited and it's probably more than 2 days of travel getting them here.

 

[calgaryflames]

And a lot of people that keep them I know of loose them either few months or few years later. If something is ever off in my tank they are first rays to tell me

 

[calgaryflames]

And there breeding habits in captivity are a pretty good indication they are not nearly as easy to keep as other rays. There has been just a handful of breeders of both types I know of two in North America both are public aquariums. One in Vancouver other in Chicago.heard of a a couple guys in Europe now and a few farms in Asia. One of the farms in Asia told me he has a very difficult time with flower rays.