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I was wondering if any of you guys keep fresh water stingrays. I saw them in a public aquarium in France and my daughter absolutely loved them.
("Daddy, that fish dances!).
What's your experience keeping these guys?
I've got a 95 gal high available (4 ft x 20" x 2 ft) and was wondering if I could fit a pair in to that.

Last edited by tinfoil at 08-Oct-2004 05:07

Hello..i dont have a freshwater stingray..but this is what i know....it needs plenty of swimming room,in water with hardness of around 10dgh and PH of 6.5 to 7.5..the bottom should be soft sandy.ohh another thing...is the barb on the end of the tail...it can give you a nasty painful wound...so be careful
I would go for a black ray (henlei)it get max.45cm and its easy to keep...To your question of keeping 2 in your tank..i dont know..but if i would have 2 rays i would have a tank like 150x60x60.

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

I don't keep them, but I might...

Ah, from the Netherlands? The rays are available there, so there's no worry about that... I was worried when I didn't see an American flag for a sec.:%) In fact, some of the biggest ray keepers are in the Netherlands, such as the first ever breeder of the Itaituba Ray, as well as, if I'm not mistaken, the the guy who wants to build a 26000 gallon ray tank. You guys have good water.:%)

Anyway... 95 gallons? Too small for two, maybe even too small for one.

I would not recommend a Henlei. Why? COST. I wonder what $300US converts to in currency over there?:%) Also, Leopoldis are the stingrays that are said to be the easiest to keep, but about the same price it'll still cost ya. In my opinion, though dull, you might want to look into rays like the Hystrix and the Reticulata, as they stay rather small. Leos and Henleis actually can get quite a bit bigger than 45 cm in diameter, too.

Care is basically the same for all rays. Like said, a sandy bottom is best. You'll have to do a water change weekly; some ray keepers do them twice a week! Water quality is very important for rays, as nitrates are more toxic to them than they are to most other fish. Also, many medications are dangerous and can kill rays, so a UV sterilizer is recommended, but not required, of a stingray keeper. They're active, which is a rarity for bottom feeders, but it also makes them AWFULLY hungry. The cost of the stingray isn't just the initial buying price, it's the food bill!

Last edited by Shinigami at 08-Oct-2004 08:44

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

I agree with shinigami...i didnt know it was so expencive
I would go with hystrix or mottled rays then.
And stingrays can be burned by standard aquarium heaters so be careful in positioning it away from its reach or using external heating.the water temp should be kept at 78 to 82 degrees(F).
Like shinigani said you have to change the water every week or so..and a good biological filter is a must.

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

Oh yeah, the heater thing. A heater guard is a good buy to protect your rays from heater burn. I haven't actually seen a heater guard for sale, but hopefully you should be able to find one.

http://www.freshwaterstingray.nl/

That's one of the best sites about freshwater stingrays; is it any coincidence that the site is based in the Netherlands? In fact, he's the breeder of the Itaitubas mentioned before, and it's his buddy that wants to build the tank. He even has rays for sale right now.:%)

Last edited by Shinigami at 08-Oct-2004 09:31

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

I can get a FW stingray for $89

Yeah, but definitely not a Henlei or a Leopoldi. More likely you're talking about a Hystrix, Reticulata, Humerosa, or Scobina ray, rays that have prices that go as low as $40.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Thanks, guys!
First of all, I've seen rays sold for about 35 euroes each (1 euro = app. 1.20 US$).
As far as the heater thing is concerned; I happen to have a heater with protection in my 95 gal. (It's all I have available, so 95 it'll have to be ...)

I'll let you know how things proceed.


Last edited by tinfoil at 10-Oct-2004 04:36