Sea Of Cortez Yellow Ray

bghk2002

New Member
New and first post the message board -- Looking for any advise on the above Ray. I have been doing a lot of research and guess what, I keep getting conflicting information. Does anyone have experience with this Ray.
I have a well established 125gal Fish Only Tank (Total Water approx 150gal). Sump Filtration, Protein Skimmer, UV Sterilizer. 2" to 3" Sand Substrate. Over 300lbs of LR. Basic T5 Lighting.
Tank Inhabitants = Purple Tang, Dragon Wrasse, Niger Trigger, & Barbed Morey Eel. Approx 8 months ago I had the displeasure of ich infestation after introducing a dog face puffer (from QT) and lost approx 50% of the tank inhabitants.
I can rearrange LR to give the Ray sufficient area to bury itself in the substrate.
I fear that 125gal will not be sufficient size at maturity and that the Ray will be to aggressive for the other tank inhabitants????
If tank conditions are acceptable should I QT the Ray or should I directly introduce the Ray to the DT to minimize stress? The Ray has been at LFS for approx 1 month and is feeding well and appears to be a very healthy specimen.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance -- Fat Guy
 

t316

Active Member
Sorry to hear about the loss fatguy. No experience here with Rays, but maybe Crimzy will see this, as he has some I believe. But post some pics of your tank when you can. I would love to see what's left after the loss. Sounds like a good mix...
 

-tara33-

Member
deffinently dont risk it with the trigger, i think i remember someone saying that that wont be enuff room for a ray, i have a 250g and ppl told me not to cos of my angel and tangs.
 

meowzer

Moderator
I have a cortez ray with tangs...they don't mess with each other, the only thing I can't keep are shrimp...LOL...BUT about your question poster...I wouldn't put a ray in a 125g...from reading this board, and from other research.
 

saka bra

Member
ya your trigger will pick at the the ray. i would get rid of the trig and get the ray, just my preference
 

crimzy

Active Member
I'll echo the sentiments above... the trigger and wrasse both could be trouble with a ray. It's not that the rays are too aggressive, actually it's the opposite. Rays are extremely vulnerable to fish that will nip at them. Aggressive fish will often go for their eyes.
Also, a 125 gallon is a temporary home at best. Your ray would reach a diameter of 18" at maturity. Your tank is 18" wide.
Finally, with 300 lbs of rock in a 125 gallon tank, I'm not sure it would even be possible to arrange the rock such that the ray would have sufficient swimming room. Rays are extremely active swimmers.
If you're willing to part with the trigger and the wrasse, and plan to upgrade in a year or so, then I'd say it's ok. Otherwise it's not a good fit for your tank.
Welcome to the boards.
 

bghk2002

New Member
for the input. All of the advise falls inline of what I was thinking. But I was surprised to hear that the Ray should get 18". My previous understanding was that the Ray will mature too 8" to 10". That was why I was entertaining this Ray. One day I am hoping to put together a larger tank, but it isn't going to be anytime soon. So Rays will stay off my radar until I can properly care for the Ray.
Thanks Again -- FG
 

Originally Posted by bghk2002
http:///forum/post/2890502
for the input. All of the advise falls inline of what I was thinking. But I was surprised to hear that the Ray should get 18". My previous understanding was that the Ray will mature too 8" to 10". That was why I was entertaining this Ray. One day I am hoping to put together a larger tank, but it isn't going to be anytime soon. So Rays will stay off my radar until I can properly care for the Ray.
Thanks Again -- FG
Here is a LFS has has to Cortz Rays and they have said the same thing 8-10 full grown, the one that have had for about year one is about 9" and is very attractive will swim up and try to eat out of your hand, however they recommanded at least a 180g for the Ray. Also like Rotor said "Triger + Rays = DEATH
 

tainte97

Member
You can house a cortez ray in a 125 gallon tank with minimal rock. I would only have rocks in the back corners. The cortez ray is not the yellow ray, the yellow ray/skate is from the atlantic ocean. I have owned a yellow ray and they are much larger than a cortez. Your best beat is if you want a ray, get rid of all the fish and go with a cortez or california ray.
 

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by tainte97
http:///forum/post/2892616
You can house a cortez ray in a 125 gallon tank with minimal rock. I would only have rocks in the back corners. The cortez ray is not the yellow ray, the yellow ray/skate is from the atlantic ocean. I have owned a yellow ray and they are much larger than a cortez. Your best beat is if you want a ray, get rid of all the fish and go with a cortez or california ray.
Why get rid of the fish? Is it because his fish are not compatible....My ray is a cortez, yes I know it is smaller than a yellow, but it is actually bigger than I thought. When I got it it Was like 3" in diameter. now it is 6" in dia., and 9" in length....close enough..it wouldn't stay still so I could measure...LOL...It eats out of my hand, and out of all my fish genuinely seems happy to see me...IT HAS PERSONALITY LOL...My only issue is that I can't keep shrimp...I tried and after a while they disappear...OH WELL shrimp or my ray...well obviously the ray has won...
 

tainte97

Member
Alot of his fish are pickers, the pick at the eyes of rays and can pretty much kill them by doing this. My ray now lives with a full grown V Lion fish and they have gotten along great, but they both eat the same thing. Also they are both hand feed which makes it alot easier.
 
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