i'm confused. are you looking for rays to eventually go into your reef aquarium, or do you mean that you will be setting up a freshwater aquarium later on after the reef one is done?
if you're looking for reef ones, you're looking for saltwater rays, which this section is not for. you want to peek over at the sharks and rays sub forum under the saltwater section.
if you are looking for freshwater ones, i'd recommend learning their requirements and how to properly house them before buying such expensive ones. BD's are beautiful, but i would hate not knowing how to take care of them or what to look out for, before losing one as expensive as they are.
saltwater ones have a lesser sting, a bit worse than a bee sting, venom wise.
freshwater ones have a more potent sting.
either way, these creatures need to be respected. it is a last resort defense. they would rather flee than sting, it is their absolute last line of defense.
don't listen to "i have no idea", his name does represent his knowledge.
the touchpools at the zoos do clip their (saltwater) rays barbs, done by professionals. i wouldn't advise the average fishkeeper doing this, or any fishkeeper, as you are not making money off of your rays being touched. the more touching, the more slime coat being removed, the higher the chance of infection and stress, the more chance they can die. plus, you don't know what contaminants are being put into your aquarium. kids especially are notorious for bad hygiene when it comes to dirty hands. soap not being properly rinsed off can also cause distress and more. cheap copper jewelry, pennies, other junk thrown in that you might not notice. the list goes on and on.
i personally will never let anyone else try to touch my rays, they know me, not others. i will not take responsibility for them getting stung, hence i don't allow it. know the risks.
if you're looking for reef ones, you're looking for saltwater rays, which this section is not for. you want to peek over at the sharks and rays sub forum under the saltwater section.
if you are looking for freshwater ones, i'd recommend learning their requirements and how to properly house them before buying such expensive ones. BD's are beautiful, but i would hate not knowing how to take care of them or what to look out for, before losing one as expensive as they are.
saltwater ones have a lesser sting, a bit worse than a bee sting, venom wise.
freshwater ones have a more potent sting.
either way, these creatures need to be respected. it is a last resort defense. they would rather flee than sting, it is their absolute last line of defense.
don't listen to "i have no idea", his name does represent his knowledge.
the touchpools at the zoos do clip their (saltwater) rays barbs, done by professionals. i wouldn't advise the average fishkeeper doing this, or any fishkeeper, as you are not making money off of your rays being touched. the more touching, the more slime coat being removed, the higher the chance of infection and stress, the more chance they can die. plus, you don't know what contaminants are being put into your aquarium. kids especially are notorious for bad hygiene when it comes to dirty hands. soap not being properly rinsed off can also cause distress and more. cheap copper jewelry, pennies, other junk thrown in that you might not notice. the list goes on and on.
i personally will never let anyone else try to touch my rays, they know me, not others. i will not take responsibility for them getting stung, hence i don't allow it. know the risks.
