I think there are two main types of breeding with stingrays. On is voluntary breeding in which the male does minimal damage to the female, she positions herself for him to easily swim under. Some owners don't notice bites or damage just a larger pregnant female without other signs. Then there is forced breeding, in which the male overpowers the female and wears her down over time. With a much smaller male, the latter is more difficult, as the female has to be willing. I have noticed that first breed for a new pair is much more physical than later breeds often times.
Hard to fully endorse the he's too small theory, as I remember Didysis having a video of a small 12" male breeding a 25" female. She was willing and swimming in a way to easily be bred. To be blunt, if a larger female doesn't want it from the smaller male, it's probably not going to happen as he can't overpower her and force breeding. So It might be safe to conclude that he's too small to force her to breed, but he's not too small to convince her to be receptive to his advances. That is really up to the individuals and time, without a guarantee of ever happening.
If breeding is the goal. I would get another male around the same age. That should get the competition going and hormones flowing.
If it were as simple as putting male and female together I would have 100's of rays by now. I have plenty of adult rays that have never bred or shown any interest despite being put with numerous potential mates. I'm constantly changing combinations of males and females, moving them around from pond to pond trying to find couples to pair off. It's humbling, they don't always do what you want. Breeding adds another element of difficulty, and eventually enjoyment.
Hard to fully endorse the he's too small theory, as I remember Didysis having a video of a small 12" male breeding a 25" female. She was willing and swimming in a way to easily be bred. To be blunt, if a larger female doesn't want it from the smaller male, it's probably not going to happen as he can't overpower her and force breeding. So It might be safe to conclude that he's too small to force her to breed, but he's not too small to convince her to be receptive to his advances. That is really up to the individuals and time, without a guarantee of ever happening.
If breeding is the goal. I would get another male around the same age. That should get the competition going and hormones flowing.
If it were as simple as putting male and female together I would have 100's of rays by now. I have plenty of adult rays that have never bred or shown any interest despite being put with numerous potential mates. I'm constantly changing combinations of males and females, moving them around from pond to pond trying to find couples to pair off. It's humbling, they don't always do what you want. Breeding adds another element of difficulty, and eventually enjoyment.
