I always want a flower and have fought off the urge because of the stories i have heard about there issues with eating and being with other rays... seeing yours is giving me the itch again. Since you had him since a baby could you give me some background on your experience. Thanks
Be happy to! She came in as a new import and was the most active one out of the 4 that landed so I chose her. When I brought her home it was as if she couldn't figure out how to eat very well for a couple of weeks. She seemed very stressed by the other rays. It didn't help she was smaller than the others at the time. When I noticed weight loss, I separated her, no other tankmates at all and within a couple of days she ate well. Had her separated for 4-5 months until she put on weight and since then she's been doing great and growing rapidly. The yellow was always apparent but the black didn't come in until a few months ago which I hear is common with Flowers and Tigers, doesn't show until they get larger. White sand doesn't help either.
I was also hesitant as I have heard they do best as a species only tank and can't fend for themselves with blackies and brownies. However, so far so good for me (knock on wood) and she's been with larger Motoros and Leos that I have now sold.
All in all, an awesome ray who's in the runnings as one of my favorites of all time. They may need some special attention when young/newly imported but worth it. I'd compare her to a Hystrix as far as temperament except at feeding, pounces harder than any other ray I have had but takes a little longer to actually swallow her food.
Hope that helps