Thinking of a cortez stingray...feedback please

[gsiegel]

Don't pay attention to my signature block as it is completely different...

Haven't posted for some time but went from a FOWLR to a mixed reef. Loving the change and the way my tank has become a mini ocean. I have a favorite coral spot down here in Florida that gets some great stuff.

My tank is 280 gallon with a deep sand bed. I do not have shrimp, but do have hermits.

I am contemplating adding a small (about 3 inch disc) cortez stingray that I saw. I know they can knock over coral. I only have a few coral (gonipora, meat coral, and mushrooms) on the sand. My biggest concern is feeding - although I did see them (they have 3 of them) eat well in the LFS. My concern is that I do have large blue and naso tangs and a few other fish which may interfere with trying to feed the ray (ie:krill). Of course I would feed the tang and while the other fish are eating try to feed the ray.

What concerns would you have in adding the ray, and any suggestions in feeding, etc.?

Thx

 

[TheAngelfish]

Don't pay attention to my signature block as it is completely different...

Haven't posted for some time but went from a FOWLR to a mixed reef. Loving the change and the way my tank has become a mini ocean. I have a favorite coral spot down here in Florida that gets some great stuff.

My tank is 280 gallon with a deep sand bed. I do not have shrimp, but do have hermits.

I am contemplating adding a small (about 3 inch disc) cortez stingray that I saw. I know they can knock over coral. I only have a few coral (gonipora, meat coral, and mushrooms) on the sand. My biggest concern is feeding - although I did see them (they have 3 of them) eat well in the LFS. My concern is that I do have large blue and naso tangs and a few other fish which may interfere with trying to feed the ray (ie:krill). Of course I would feed the tang and while the other fish are eating try to feed the ray.

What concerns would you have in adding the ray, and any suggestions in feeding, etc.?

Thx

Grazing fish should not be kept with sharks/rays. They can nip at them, thought not fatal it is stressful to them

 

[Dmorty217]

Grazing fish should not be kept with sharks/rays. They can nip at them, thought not fatal it is stressful to them

+1 bacterial infections caused by nipping can be and more times than not is.

 

[gsiegel]

Thanks for the insight.
Any proponents of adding a cortez? Anyone who has had one before - feeding tips? Feedback?
Not sold on one but just doing my homework first.
Thanks again.

 

[Dmorty217]

They are the easiest and most adaptable ray you can purchase for a smaller sized tank (less than 600g) silversides, scallops, squid, any wild caught white fish, krill and raw shrimp are all acceptable foods the ray should quickly take to. I would suggest QTing the ray for disease and nematodes since most sharks and rays come in with one or the other if not both. Also I'm assuming you don't have what you need to force feed the ray should the need arise?

 

[gsiegel]

Thanks for the info
You are correct that I do not have what is needed to force feed but the rays were all eating well when I saw them.

 

[Dmorty217]

Thanks for the info
You are correct that I do not have what is needed to force feed but the rays were all eating well when I saw them.

Then that's a plus. I asked because depending on how long they have had the ray and how much/ what they are feeding it will help determine if the ray is starving or not. Most places that get rays (usually have sharks too) that are less than healthy simply because the lack of knowledge of owning them. They are in the buisness of making money and usually not healthy livestock. Same holds true with places like LA, their Stocklist is tied directly to QM (QM will deny this) and shipped directly from QM to you. Point being is QM doesn't always have the healthiest livestock. If I were you I would find a place that specializes in sharks and rays and purchase from them if your going to do it

 

[Jasanden]

If you do this please updat the thread as I would love to see how it goes.

 

[snorvich]

They do best at subtropical temperatures (65F-72F); can you maintain those?

 

[93Foxstang]

They do best at subtropical temperatures (65F-72F); can you maintain those?

+1 not good for a reef tank

 

[slief]

Not a good choice of a fish for a reef tank. They really need an open sandy bottom and should be in a species specific tank. They need to eat a fair amount and can contribute to water quality issues because of that. Also, if you have a true deep sand bed with 4" or more of sand, that I would even more strongly advise against this fish. If he gets too deep into the a well established DSB, you run the risk of it releasing toxins from the sand that can take out your entire tank. The deeper areas of a DSB should not be disturbed and a ray will do just that.

 

[Dmorty217]

They do best at subtropical temperatures (65F-72F); can you maintain those?

Not a good choice of a fish for a reef tank. They really need an open sandy bottom and should be in a species specific tank. They need to eat a fair amount and can contribute to water quality issues because of that. Also, if you have a true deep sand bed with 4" or more of sand, that I would even more strongly advise against this fish. If he gets too deep into the a well established DSB, you run the risk of it releasing toxins from the sand that can take out your entire tank. The deeper areas of a DSB should not be disturbed and a ray will do just that.

+1 these are things I didn't mention. Being that your fish aren't compatible with rays it's just not a good idea. If you want a ray or shark then that basically means you give up any fish that you commonly see in most of our tanks. Not to mention the cost of equipment and feeding that is needed to properly maintain rays and sharks. Like I mentioned before a 280g is really on the small side for any ray. Snorvich mentioned the temps needed which don't mix very well with the fish you have either. Best to leave the ray at the store...

 

[gsiegel]

Thanks again
That's why I check here first.