Let's talk Stingrays....

My dad fell absolutely head over heels in love with a stingray at the lfs awhile ago (i couldnt help being a little smitten either :inlove: ). It was my solemn duty to break his heart and tell him we couldnt bring it home though. After reading this thread though, a stingray tank is starting to sound more and more viable. So a 6x3 tank would make a suitable LONG TERM home for a ray? (with the ray living comfortably and without the need to re-home when it reaches adult size). I may have to do some more searching on this.

you could keep a small ray in a 6x3 without rock work, but most people dont like that look, in Aust. I would find "cross backed ray" they are around the same size as the round rays over here I believe
 
So, the only issue with lions and rays is that the ray could get stung? I wouldn't be that concerned about it...cause people have fish in with lions and I've never seen a fish get stung by a lion. I just wouldn't want the ray to eat the lionfish...

saltyguy51,
Do you QT your rays? Or could I just go buy one and put it in my tank...would it/could it carry something and give it to my lion? Or could the ray get something?
 
So, the only issue with lions and rays is that the ray could get stung? I wouldn't be that concerned about it...cause people have fish in with lions and I've never seen a fish get stung by a lion. I just wouldn't want the ray to eat the lionfish...

saltyguy51,
Do you QT your rays? Or could I just go buy one and put it in my tank...would it/could it carry something and give it to my lion? Or could the ray get something?

usually fish dont glide over the top of a lionfish like a Ray would, and by the way fish get stung all the time by Lionfish in the home aquaria, many time people have fish die without a seemingly reason and come to find out there is a red mark they find on the dead fish, I never qt rays but thats all I have, there's always a chance of any fish bringing something into your tank from a lfs. Never heard of a Ray with ick though
 
I would have to agree with saltyguy51 on this one. I didn't think about it until he pointed it out but my ray use to swim directly into my other fish not caring that they were there. He would force them to move. Eventually the other fish got the hint and stayed out of the way but I can see a ray running directly into a lion especially if is was spooked or startled.
 
I just want a small, non expert ray that can fit happily in my tank, and co-exist with my lion. My 210 is 72"x24"x28". But, it seems there isn't one... I would love to build something giant like a 2,000g stingray tank...but that's for the future me :D

wylon,
Is it just me, or does your second ray look shiny? lol Hand feed? That would be so awesome! Oh, and beautiful rays, btw.

Do Rays just not get ich or parasites like fish, or what's the deal on QT and Rays?

That tank size is plenty big for one of the smaller ray species no problem. If you can find one, a bullseye ray is one of the prettiest. but a spotted ray is still amazing and pretty hardy as far as rays go.

I QT all fish until they are able to eat frozen food easily before I throw them in my main display where they have to fight for their dinner.

The second ray is shiny because of the angle of the picture I think.

and I have both my rays with two volitan lions and a radiatta lion and have never had any problems.
 
We have had our California Round Ray for about a year now. She started out maybe 7 inches across and we had her in our 190 gallon mixed reef. In time she has grown to about 12 inches across and just got too big for our mixed reef. We ended up building an ~200 pond that has just the ray and some green chromis. She has been in there for about a 2 months and is VERY happy.

Key points to think about:
1. They need LOTS of open sand bad to burrow in.
2. Keep rock to the minimum necessary to give maximum sand bed space.
3. Sand bed should be a good 3+ inches deep. They will keep it well stirred.
4. Our has been fine with tank mates, including crabs, snails, cleaner shrimp, etc. But I know that isn't always the case.
5. They are more like a pet than any other fish we have.

I enjoy my reef more, but our family, kids, friends, visitors get way more enjoyment out of the ray for sure. Hand feeding, petting, etc.

Hope that helps!
 
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