First of all Matt,
I'm so sorry to hear of the death of your Flower ray, it was a beautiful specimen, I have lost a few larger ones over time, it hurts like hell!
Regarding the keeping of this species in captivity yes I fully agree with you they can and in most cases are more difficult to raise due to their initial eating habits which in lots of cases results in them only taking earthworms, live blood worms, live shrimp and small fishes. However for the more advanced aquarist that truly loves this particular ray and is willing to devote the extra time into giving into its extra needs they can be rewarding and convertible. Your description of "next to impossible to keep" in your earlier post isn't quite right is it, you for one have managed to keep the one that has now sadly died for 6 years (a credit to you), and if I read it properly in with one of the most aggressive of rays according to those that have kept them, P. boesemani). I also believe that if a ray can be kept for 6 years it can be kept for 8 of more, if the trend to is to lose any animal within the first 12 months or so then that's different....questions must be asked about the suitability of that particular animal as a captive.
I know of at least 2 people that have had Tiger rays for instance for quite some time, one owner had one for I think approx 9 years, he owns the largest domestic aquarium in the UK (Nottingham) many UK ray keepers know this guy, he is a regular customer at the shop I work. Throughout all those years that ray would never take anything other than Earthworm, all sorts of foods were emptied in the tank, he had to put 3 tubs of worms in at a time to get the worms past the other residents. Another group were on the classified ads over here for quite a few months, the owner finally giving into this stubborn fishes unwillingness to take anything other than worms. So if you managed to get your Tigers and Flowers to accept all the foods you mentioned "easily" then you are a better man than me.
I have two 10" Flowers in the shop now that are proving more difficult than the ones before them, I am pleased to say they took some chopped Prawn yesterday after quite a number of weeks. I have "never" had a Tiger take anything other than worms in the short time I have had them, in all fairness I can count on one hand how many we have had in the shop, apart from the huge size attained (the main reason we don't stock them) I think they are best left in the river.
Like I said earlier, when I used the word myth I was simply referring to them (Flowers) as not "next to impossible to keep"...............more difficult I agree, not a ray for the beginner that is a fact.
Its all about different opinions and experiences, this is mine.
