Small Question - Rays

zeke92

zeke92

Active Member
Promise this is last thread i make about an aggressive fish haha. I just had one question about rays.
Is there any dwarf rays that could live in a 55g and do they need lots of sandy space and less rocks?
Sort of a two in one question. I can probably guess the answers but you never know, worth a try.
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2768805
Promise this is last thread i make about an aggressive fish haha. I just had one question about rays.
Is there any dwarf rays that could live in a 55g and do they need lots of sandy space and less rocks?
Sort of a two in one question. I can probably guess the answers but you never know, worth a try.
There are no dwarf rays. The smallest ray species should not be kept in anything less than a 180 gallon tank, (and it's debatable whether that would be sufficient).
 
rotarymagic

rotarymagic

Active Member
Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2768805
Promise this is last thread i make about an aggressive fish haha. I just had one question about rays.
Is there any dwarf rays that could live in a 55g and do they need lots of sandy space and less rocks?
Sort of a two in one question. I can probably guess the answers but you never know, worth a try.
maybe if it was 4feet by 4feet, you might have a decent amount of floor space, but not 4x1 lol.
 
krj-1168

krj-1168

Member
There are no "dwarf" rays that can be kept in a 55 gallon tank for life.
However - the round stingrays (genus Urobatis) are usually born at about 5" total length(about 3-3.5" DW). and they tend to be slow grower compared with most benthic sharks - growing at a rate of only 1-2" per year. So it may be possible to keep a new born ray in a 55 gallon tank for up to about 2 years.
The Smallest species is the Cortez Stingray (Urobatis maculatus) at about 16 inches total length or about 10 inches Disc Width. And while the book "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" suggests that this species needs a minimum of a standard 180 gallon tank for life. The tank also needs to be devoid of any decor such as Live Rock or Coral.
Also it's best not to keep rays with other aggressive or predator fishes - as they may injure the ray, by nipping or biting it.
 
rotarymagic

rotarymagic

Active Member
Originally Posted by krj-1168
http:///forum/post/2769359
There are no "dwarf" rays that can be kept in a 55 gallon tank for life.
However - the round stingrays (genus Urobatis) are usually born at about 5" total length(about 3-3.5" DW). and they tend to be slow grower compared with most benthic sharks - growing at a rate of only 1-2" per year. So it may be possible to keep a new born ray in a 55 gallon tank for up to about 2 years.
The Smallest species is the Cortez Stingray (Urobatis maculatus) at about 16 inches total length or about 10 inches Disc Width. And while the book "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" suggests that this species needs a minimum of a standard 180 gallon tank for life. The tank also needs to be devoid of any decor such as Live Rock or Coral.
Also it's best not to keep rays with other aggressive or predator fishes - as they may injure the ray, by nipping or biting it.
Don't give her false hopes, she'll end up keeping it in that 55gallon when "stuff" hits the fan when she's going to college and starting to pay her own bills.
 
el guapo

el guapo

Active Member
Originally Posted by Rotarymagic
http:///forum/post/2769383
Don't give her false hopes, she'll end up keeping it in that 55gallon when "stuff" hits the fan when she's going to college and starting to pay her own bills.
Ever have anything positive to say to people ?
 
krj-1168

krj-1168

Member
Don't give her false hopes, she'll end up keeping it in that 55gallon when "stuff" hits the fan when she's going to college and starting to pay her own bills.
I'm not trying to give anyone "false hopes", just being realistic and telling the truth. Yes - a ray would be a better option than a newborn shark. But in either case - they will need larger tank. It just depends on how soon. A small shark pup will likely need a new tank in less than 6 months while a smal ray pup will need a new tank in about 18 months to 2 years.
Also need to consider that a small species of Stingray - like the Cortez maybe able to be kept in a 180 gallon tank. Which is smaller and easier to keep than the smallest available species of shark - the Marbled & Coral Catsharks which will need a tank of at least 225-270 gallons.
 
el guapo

el guapo

Active Member
Originally Posted by krj-1168
http:///forum/post/2770629
I'm not trying to give anyone "false hopes", just being realistic and telling the truth. Yes - a ray would be a better option than a newborn shark. But in either case - they will need larger tank. It just depends on how soon. A small shark pup will likely need a new tank in less than 6 months while a smal ray pup will need a new tank in about 18 months to 2 years.
Also need to consider that a small species of Stingray - like the Cortez maybe able to be kept in a 180 gallon tank. Which is smaller and easier to keep than the smallest available species of shark - the Marbled & Coral Catsharks which will need a tank of at least 225-270 gallons.

All great points . Its also my opinion that rays are a lot more interesting to keep then sharks . The one I had was definitely more active than the shark pup's . Where as the shark was always hiding out in the rock work the ray was almost always on the move doing laps around the tank . I also believe that rays are more inquisitive and more interactive than bamboo sharks . I have never kept a coral cat shark so I can't say about them . But when the chance comes I will most definitely have another ray .
 
zeke92

zeke92

Active Member
i didn't read all of that after the first couple posts i got my answer. And i'd like to say, for the thousandth time, i'm a guy. is zeke really a girl name?
 
el guapo

el guapo

Active Member
Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2771768
i didn't read all of that after the first couple posts i got my answer. And i'd like to say, for the thousandth time, i'm a guy. is zeke really a girl name?


I figured it was a guys name . Seriously though Rays are a lot better choice than a shark .
 
keri

keri

Active Member
Originally Posted by zeke92
http:///forum/post/2771768
i didn't read all of that after the first couple posts i got my answer. And i'd like to say, for the thousandth time, i'm a guy. is zeke really a girl name?

I think it's the cutesy kitty in your avatar that's throwing people off ;)
 
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