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smallreef
Guest
WOW really how many times do you need to hear it's not appropriate...
75 gallon stocking
- Thread starter fishkeepingpro
- Start date
btldreef
Moderator
There are some sites out there that will tell you that a California Stingray can go in a 180. This is really not the best advice and in most every case, will lead the fish to be stressed, not eat well and die.
The California Stingray is a cooler water species of stingray as well, which hasn't been mentioned. They prefer 65-75F temperatures, so you'll need a chiller to provide the proper environment. This cooler water temperature will make it more difficult to find other fish that can be housed with it, as 65F is really too cold for most marine fish readily available in the hobby.
Keep in mind that stingrays can be difficult to get to eat as well.
IMO, if you're absolutely set on having this California stingray, you need at least a 300G tank to even have a shot at long term success. Probably not what you want to hear, but it's the unfortunate truth of the situation.
The California Stingray is a cooler water species of stingray as well, which hasn't been mentioned. They prefer 65-75F temperatures, so you'll need a chiller to provide the proper environment. This cooler water temperature will make it more difficult to find other fish that can be housed with it, as 65F is really too cold for most marine fish readily available in the hobby.
Keep in mind that stingrays can be difficult to get to eat as well.
IMO, if you're absolutely set on having this California stingray, you need at least a 300G tank to even have a shot at long term success. Probably not what you want to hear, but it's the unfortunate truth of the situation.
fishkeepingpro
Member
Is there any stingray that could live in a 180 long term?
fishkeepingpro
Member
How big do California stingrays get?
btldreef
Moderator
Upwards of a foot.
If you are dead set on having one, you really need a large, very large tank, preferable rounded. Rays are not easy fish to keep and the California stingray, also known as the Round Stingray (Urobatis halleri), is especially difficult due to it's extra requirements (cooler water, etc).
I really recommend that you do A LOT of research on these, or any other ray, before purchasing one.
Have you ever kept saltwater critters before?
If you are dead set on having one, you really need a large, very large tank, preferable rounded. Rays are not easy fish to keep and the California stingray, also known as the Round Stingray (Urobatis halleri), is especially difficult due to it's extra requirements (cooler water, etc).
I really recommend that you do A LOT of research on these, or any other ray, before purchasing one.
Have you ever kept saltwater critters before?
fishkeepingpro
Member
No. I love the fishkeeping hobby and want to take it to the next level. I have had YEARS of experience with 100s of freshwater species though.
btldreef
Moderator
I am not trying to insult you. I really do not recommend a stingray, especially a California, for your first saltwater fish, regardless of how much freshwater experience you have. They're really tough. Some sites will actually only sell them to researchers and aquariums because of their difficulty level.
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smallreef
Guest
Saltwater is a whole different foray than fresh... Not to belittle your experience but there is a reason we buy freshwater tanks for kids,, they can keep most of them without much effort..
Saltwater is a lot of effort (in the beginning) but well worth it for the payoff in my opinion...
you need to hone your skills and make sure you can keep anything alive and going for a while before attempting something as difficult as a ray. Lots of people jump into saltwater and think its as simple as dosing some elements and making sure you empty your skimmer, but ;especially for a larger tank, there are a lot of intricacies that you will have to work out before you even get fish in the tank...
Buy LOTS of books (the newer the better in this hobby) do ALOT of research before you buy something,, and make sure to set up a quarantine tank BEFORE you start buying fish and ONLY buy them one at a time to start with... doing this can help you get into the groove and avoid catastrophe of overcrowding from the start...
Saltwater is a lot of effort (in the beginning) but well worth it for the payoff in my opinion...
you need to hone your skills and make sure you can keep anything alive and going for a while before attempting something as difficult as a ray. Lots of people jump into saltwater and think its as simple as dosing some elements and making sure you empty your skimmer, but ;especially for a larger tank, there are a lot of intricacies that you will have to work out before you even get fish in the tank...
Buy LOTS of books (the newer the better in this hobby) do ALOT of research before you buy something,, and make sure to set up a quarantine tank BEFORE you start buying fish and ONLY buy them one at a time to start with... doing this can help you get into the groove and avoid catastrophe of overcrowding from the start...
fishkeepingpro
Member
So for future experiences a 180 is not big enough for one california stingray?
fishkeepingpro
Member
Ok thank you for everything. What books do you recommend?
travelerjp98
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishkeepingPRO http:///t/389112/75-gallon-stocking/20#post_3438096
Ok thank you for everything. What books do you recommend?
The Complete Book of the Marine Aquarium- Vincent B. Hargreaves
A Pocketexpert guide to marine invertebrates
A Pocketexpert guide to marine fish
The Reef Aquarium (3 Volumes)- J. Charles Delbeek + Julian Sprung
Originally Posted by fishkeepingPRO http:///t/389112/75-gallon-stocking/20#post_3438096
Ok thank you for everything. What books do you recommend?
The Complete Book of the Marine Aquarium- Vincent B. Hargreaves
A Pocketexpert guide to marine invertebrates
A Pocketexpert guide to marine fish
The Reef Aquarium (3 Volumes)- J. Charles Delbeek + Julian Sprung
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smallreef
Guest
Also,
The New Marine Aquarium by Michael Paletta is a good starter book
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner
AND my favorite (other than the pocket guides) is The new encycopedia of of the Saltwater Aquarium by Greg Jennings
I have about 10 other books I have bought that I dont really care for.. but actually LOOK through them before buying if you can and see if the information is relevant to you.. I have a 'ideal aquarium' setup book that none of it really pertains to me,, so that was a waste.. If you are close to an B&N's you can have them order it for you and look at it before you HAVE to buy it.. which is nice..
The New Marine Aquarium by Michael Paletta is a good starter book
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner
AND my favorite (other than the pocket guides) is The new encycopedia of of the Saltwater Aquarium by Greg Jennings
I have about 10 other books I have bought that I dont really care for.. but actually LOOK through them before buying if you can and see if the information is relevant to you.. I have a 'ideal aquarium' setup book that none of it really pertains to me,, so that was a waste.. If you are close to an B&N's you can have them order it for you and look at it before you HAVE to buy it.. which is nice..
fishkeepingpro
Member
Since a stingrqy is out of the question for a while, what fish can I pit in my 75?
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smallreef
Guest
You have almost limitless option,, just depends on what you like.. peaceful little fish? do you want any corals eventually? are you more into aggressive fish like triggers, tangs, angels? Granted a 75 would be to small to have a trigger or tang for along time but a year or 2 if you buy it small wouldnt be horrible... You tell us what fish you like and we can help you from there...
just keep in mind the stocking of a saltwater tank is no where near the same as a freshwater...
just keep in mind the stocking of a saltwater tank is no where near the same as a freshwater...
fishkeepingpro
Member
Well i like lionfish- maybe radiata or antennata?
Also snowflake eel maybe
Harlequin tuskfish?
Also snowflake eel maybe
Harlequin tuskfish?
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smallreef
Guest
Lionfish and eel yes.. harlequin tusk can be a nibbler too though..so that is a maybe.. you could try a hamlet or med. sized hawkfish with him...squirrelfish, sweetlips or a med sized dwarf angel possibly too... most any moderate temperment fish that is TO big to fit in the lions mouth.. you dont want any mean fish or nibbly fish with him..
fishkeepingpro
Member
But would the 75 be big enough for the harlequin, lion, eel? Also i am interested in the blue hippo tang. Would they work?
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smallreef
Guest
If you get them when they are all small juveniles, yes for about 2 years at most.. you could just do the lionfish and eel easily for 3 or 4 years.. the tusk gets big fairly quickly and again,, can nip at the lions fins...and a 72 is to small for tangs again unless you literally have the 180 sitting in the garage waiting to be set up I wouldnt do it..Tangs can aslo be big bullies, and ive never had a blue so I couldnt tell ya bout him.. Ive had a Kole and they are a smaller variety and not as mean .. totally different coloring.. and I've had a yellow tang and wouldnt put him in there..