Re: [GSAS-Member] stingrays

[Cory McElroy <corywmcelroy@hotmail.com>]

Getting the rays off live food is the hardest part. It's a dance with the 
devil, you have to starve them, but not too long, but if you give in too soon 
they'll never convert off live black worms etc.

The ones at king's discus in the international district are usually already 
eating frozen market shrimp. So that's a plus. 

In my opinion, it's best to get them from a store that enjoys keeping the 
stingray, as other stores that can order "tea cup stingray" usually are just 
temporary holding facilities. No feeding training goes into them. they hope to 
sell them fast, due to their inexperience, it can be fatal if they arn't. Even 
if I was to order some in for Conway Tropical Fish. I'd be bringing in the tea 
cup stingrays. We would end up doing the same, feeding them live black worms, 
until the customer bought it. 

Don't be fooled. Tea cup stingrays are just pups. They're Reticulated stingray. 
Usually about 2 months old. Doesn't take them long at all to reach that 4 inch 
size. They still grow to a 2 foot disc size.

Also they need room to roam around on the bottom. And need room to stretch out. 
If their disc can't lay flat for long periods of time, they die due to disc 
curl. If you plan on keeping stingray long term, You'll want to consider going 
bare bottom, or a soft sand. With minimal decorations. You'll often see 
stingray tanks this way. It's because if they have a 2 foot disc, you'll need 
3+ foot width on your tank if you want any decor + them being able to stretch 
out.

They're said to be sensitive to water quality, however I feel that they just 
need adequate filtration to handle the type of food you're feeding. Ie market 
shrimp in the tank, leads to a lot of waste. Water changes should be 
maintained. On a whole, you're just taking on a fish that will require 
consistent care.

I myself wanted some stingray for quite a while, until I got to see some in a 
couple different friend's tanks. Once they lost the "ooh you have stingray" 
factor, they weren't nearly as entertaining. 

> From: Seattle_Aquarist@comcast.net
> To: gsas-member@thekrib.com
> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:22:18 -0800
> Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] stingrays
> 
> Hi Jeff,
> 
>  
> 
> I think that Jimmy, who gave the shrimp talk last night, has freshwater
> stingrays.  I saw a few of them at his shop.
> 
>  
> 
> Roy
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> _______________________________________________
> GSAS-Member mailing list
> GSAS-Member@thekrib.com
> http://lists.thekrib.com/mailman/listinfo/gsas-member
                                          
_________________________________________________________________
Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009
_______________________________________________
GSAS-Member mailing list
GSAS-Member@thekrib.com
http://lists.thekrib.com/mailman/listinfo/gsas-member