Stingrays - What fish can I add with them?

vamaro

vamaro

New member
I recently set-up a 220 gallon (72x30x24) tank. I have a larger reef on one end of the tank and a smaller reef on the other end of the tank so I can add some fishes. I was told that some fish such as triggers will eat the eyes of the stingray. Does anyone know what fish work well with the stingray? So far, I only have a six line and 5 Chromas.

Thanks!

Vince
 
First, a ray is not really compatible in a reef tank. They need a lot of open floor space for manuvering, and depending on what kind of plants you put in there, some of them will sting, and as rays glide over may get stung. A 220 gal. may be a little tight, especially if you have a lot of rock in there. Rays like to move and need a lot of room to do so. The bed is very important also. I don't know what you have for substrate, but for eels and sharks you need to have a fine, softer sand so thet don't get scratched up. As far as non compatible fish, triggers for sure, and some angels.
 
Sorry I am a newbe, I need to clarify. I have a fish only with live rock! I do not have any corals.

I am using fine less than 1mm sand. The ray (California) has been in a tank since it was very small. It had about a 9 inch disk now.

I built this tank just for this ray. A local fish store was nice enough hold the ray for a few months until I got all set-up and I paid in full of course......

The ray spends more time swimming on the top than on the sand, which is not the norm for rays that I have seen in other places.

I just wanted to add a few nice fish to give the tank some color and make it more interesting.
 
I'd be careful with the butterflies. You may get away with some of the reef safe triggers. Tangs are always a safe choice.
 
Tangs and wrasses would be your best bet. You should stay away from most triggers, angels, and butterflies due to the fact that they have a tendencey to pick at the rays eyes. I woul love to see pics of your setup.
 
I was looking at some wrases last night. I like the flashers, but the guy at the LFS told me that the six line will go after them. He said it would go after the fairy wrases too. There is plenty of rock in the tank, if anything maybe too much. I would like to think that both wrases could find a home without any hassles.

But, once I put something in this tank, it is really hard to get out. I made lot of caves, including caves that are low in the sand for the ray. The really nice looking flasher wrases that I have seen are expensive too, it would be extra painful to watch the fish get hammered!

I also like the Green bird wrase and Harlequin tusk, but both of them look like they could do some damage. I need to learn more about them before I purchase.

I do like the idea of having a shoal of the anthisa or cardinals too.

This is a great hobbie! As I write this, I am watching the stingray get cleaned by the cleaner shrimp. I have not watched TV since I set this tank up.
 
I was also looking at a Foxface Rabbit fish. They seem like nice fish but not sure about putting a venomous fish like this in the tank. I worry about it stabbing the rays with its spines. I met a guy who claimed to loss a puffer to a Lion.
 
From what I understand the more aggressive wrasses are likely to pick at their eyes as well. A harlequin tuskfish would probably be ok because they are actually very mild mannered -- not sure about the bird wrasse though.
 
Rabbits only "sting" in defense or if startled (defense reaction). Just be aware of the fish's location in the tank if you put your hand in there.
 
u can add anyfish but triggers they will nip the rim of the stingray til its dead, i had 3stingrays and my tankmates were, grouper, banded shark, tangs, wrasse, angels, rabbitfish,butterfly fishes. so i think u can add anything BUT TRIGGERS
 
I really like the tusk, but I was under the assumption that they was aggressive just because of their teeth sticking out! I would be happy if I could get one in my tank without any issues.
 
I was checking out the powder blue tang, but most people at the LFS's say that they get ick all the time. I have a 57 watt UV in my tank but I do not know how much that helps.
 
I like the powder blue tang, but I have heard so many bad things in regards to ick that I plan on avoiding them.

I have a good UV on my system, but I am not sure how much they help with controlling ick. I guess every bit helps.
 
No big mean wrasses, like a tusk.
No butterflies or angels! or it will have no eyes.
No triggers.
And no big aggressive fish, you can be the judge but its common sense. Look at the jaw of the fish, if it is made for picking or crushing probably not a good idea.


I would go with small fish like anthias, flasher/fairy wrasses, damsels are fine (but may pester other fish), marine betta, tangs, those type of fish.

Small bottom dwelling fish are also not a good idea as the ray will probably eat those. These include gobies, blennies, dragonets, those type of fish.
 
Thank you for the reply! I have really taking my time. Nothing has been added yet.

My ray is very active and spends a lot of time swimming at the top of the tank. However, occasionally it does settle down in the sand at night which I assume is when the eyes get mistaken for food.

I looked at a couple of nice fairy and flasher wrasses, a few weeks ago. Maybe I will give them a try to see how they do with the sixline. The tank is big enough and I have more than enough rock for them to have their own area, but you know how this stuff goes.

I also looked at a naso blonde tang. Doing some more reading on them.
 
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