stingrays

causeidm

causeidm

Member
OK, I used to frequent this board all the time when I had my reef tank, but a massive heat wave and no air conditioning for a week destroyed my tank. I decided I just don't have the time to go back to reef so I am gonna go aggresive. I have seen some pics of other members stingrays and I gotta admit, I'm a little jealous, so that is kinda what I'm hoping to go for.
I have a 125g tank, dual overflows, 55g sump, and a nautilus skimmer. I also have a small refugium. I realise I will have to move/remove some of my rocks to create a nice sized sand area for a stingray, etc.
My question is, is my tank big enough for one? what variety should a beginner get? tankmates? food? and absolutely anything else that could be of help.
Also, right now I have halides for lighting, is that going to be to strong for the stingray? or will it be fine?
 
peejfish

peejfish

Member
hey i'm also very interested my LFS used to have this neon blue tiny ray and it was 75 bones but soooo awesome it was in an octagon shaped tank must have been 3-4ft tall and 3-3.5ft per side...maybe it as a hexagon but it was still a large tank...it was with one other fish and the best part was when you fed it its shrimp itd stick its head out of the water and eat it out of the palm of your hand....i'd be very interested in getting a ray though i've heard its rather difficult...
 
cincyreefer

cincyreefer

Active Member
What type of ray? I would get rid of halides... too expensive to run when you dont need them and might cause algae problems.
 
peejfish

peejfish

Member
i'm not so sure from what i read it might be a blue spotted it was so sweet like circular neon bright blue markings oni its back... really spectacular
 
ac

ac

Member
I think the 125 is a bit small for a ray. Remember it's not the gallons that matter it's the foot print. You want lots of surface area. My ray is in a custom tank that's 84X30X18. So it's 200 gallons but its only as deep as a standard 55 gallon. I would definitely loose the MH lights. I think you would have serious algea problems like cincyreefer said. Besides why waste lights like that on a stingray. As far as types of stingrays I would stick with the cali or yellow stingrays, and stay away from the blue spots. They don't do well in tanks. As far as tank mates, I have my yellow with an epaullette shark. You want to stay away from triggers, large angels and puffers. As far as food goes I feed mine silversides, squid, and krill. One more thing you want to make sure you have a deep fine sand bed so as to not damage the underside of the ray when he wants to bury himself. HTH let us know if there's any other questions.
 
causeidm

causeidm

Member
Thank you so much for the help AC. I am however a bit confused, is the 125 to small for a california or not? I wouldn't want to put a stingray in it if it wouldn't be happy.
 
ac

ac

Member
Yes I think it is too small. I'm trying to remember how wide my 125 reef is(I'm at work), but I think it's about 18-20 inches wide. My yellow stingray is about 15 inches long so it doesn't give them that much turning room. There are other stingray owners here that may disagree, and may be able to help more on the tank size that they use. It's more difficult for me because I had a custom size made and am not familiar with all of the different tank dimensions. So hopefully someone else chimes in here to bail me out. Two things you may also want to consider for your stingray tank is a very good protein skimmer and I also use a UV Sterililzer. HTH
 
cincyreefer

cincyreefer

Active Member
I agree with AC, definitely need a wider tank. There are few types of rays that might work, although it would be a stretch. I would just wait to get a wider tank until you try a ray. They are not easy fish to keep.
 
causeidm

causeidm

Member
allright guys, now that my stingray dreams have been squished, what to do with my 125 now.... I guess I need to think
 
polarpooch

polarpooch

Active Member
Am thinking about a California ray. Are these the same as yellows....or cortez's?
What's the max size of these critters?
Used to have a bluespot in my 180...and have the opportunity to get another ray--I would rather get something a bit less delicate than a bluespot. Does a Cali ray fit this bill?
 
tony detroit

tony detroit

Active Member
Cali's and yellows are easiest. I have had a cali for 1year 2 months now and she's doing fine. You can see pictures in "the official shark picture thread" I would recommend a yellow myself, cali rays are coldwater species(less than 70degrees) where yellow rays you can keep with other fish. You can keep your cali ray above 70degrees. I run between 71-74degrees with no apparent ill effects.
 
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