Bullnose eagle ray

[alprazo]

I thought I would share a new species for RC.
She is a neonate, 12 inches across. She had a fresh umbilical wound at capture. Typically their diet consists of hermit crabs, snails and some small mollusks. Fortunately I had availability of all three of these for about a month while adapting her to captivity. She will likely double in size as the will get up to 24" across. I've had her since mid august, still in QT with some lookdowns going through the same regimen. She is hand feeding and doing quite well. Excited to share a creature that rarely makes it to the private and even the public aquaria.

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8fmhgIvUr5o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[caribfan]

So cool man, what’s the final tank size going to be?

 

[alprazo]

My tank is 9' *17' * 3'. Will probably keep isolated in QT until I need it for something else.

 

[Kremis]

17 foot by 9 foot tank ?!?!??!?! wow. super cool ray

 

[Dmorty217]

Very cool stuff. Excited to see her in your 3000g!

 

[Bobbitworm13]

Very cool, I've seen these guys while fishing and diving

 

[alprazo]

I’ve worked with cownose ray pups in the past but never decided to keep one more than a few days. The were always too active for my comfort. As seen in the video, this is a slow swimming ray that rests about 50% of the time. Graceful in its movements but does seem to lack to very aggressive eating habits and personality that makes the cownose and bat ray do so well in captivity. Even though it hand feeds, I worry about its ability to compete in my aquarium. Time will tell, but for now she will likely stay in the 8 ft tub until next summer.

 

[McPuff]

My tank is 9' *17' * 3'. Will probably keep isolated in QT until I need it for something else.

Wow, please post some pics and/or video of this! Sounds very cool.

The ray looks terrific. What a cool and unique acquisition.

 

[thomashtom]

very cool, what size tank do they need?

 

[alprazo]

very cool, what size tank do they need?

Not sure. Doing really well in 8 foot qt right now. I imagine she will have some years in my big tank. If she out grows it, a friend is dying to take her for his 16 ft pool.

 

[Jekerry]

Wow!

 

[humaguy]

so cool, they look great!

 

[alprazo]

Just an observation. I had been feeding the ray to satiation twice a day. Usually a whole chopped 4 inch menhaden (head off) or two table shrimp. It seems like a lot for such a small animal. Last week I just happened to noticed how thin she had become and her cartilaginous prominences were easily visible on her back. I increased the feeds to 3x and sometimes 4x a day and I leave plenty of left over food in the tank for her after feeding. She has added weight and looks much better. It is clear to me that the neonates need to be fed quite frequently.

 

[Monkeyfish]

@alprazo

Any recent pics/threads with your 3000g aquarium? Would love to see it.

 

[McPuff]

@alprazo

Any recent pics/threads with your 3000g aquarium? Would love to see it.

I second that!