How many stingrays?
- Thread starter Cyberfish<><|
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the bioload determines how many fish you can fit in a tank, not how much of the bottom is covered, stingrays need heavy filtration and a huge amount of water changes, youd probably max the bioload before the bottom is covered, with stingrays you dont want it overcrowded, they require alot of room to maneuver and move around each other, and theyre not cheap so i dont even know why youd consider stuffing them into a tank like sardines in a can
I know. But, how many? is it like, 1 per 1 sq foot? I don't want to stuff them. I'm setting up a breeding tank for them but the more space the more rare species. I am aware the cost and the size and bioload and what not as I have kept stingrays in the past.
There is no formula, you need to test your water, for stingrays you would 'ideally' need to keep it as close to 0ppm for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, and once you start getting readings you are probably in trouble, because that instantaneous reading doesnt account for the long term, as they grow into adults, that would increase the bioload, and your bio filtration/ water changes will become less effective as the rays grow to full size, i havent kept up with ray keeping for quite a few years, im not familiar with the current strategies for managing bioloads with rays
A breeding sized ray is bigger than 1sq ft, except for maybe mini marbled's
What size tank are you setting up for them? What type of filtration are you planning on establishing?
I have 4 rays, 1M & 3F, disc circ 14" to 20", tail length 18-26", in a 560gal 10' tank with a 30sq ft footprint. I would not put any more in there space wise no matter how capable a filtration system.
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I heard a general rule of thumb being that the disc diameter of the combined rays should not exceed the length of the tank
I guess your ray stock density really depends on your goals.
Do you want to breed or just enjoy them?
The other factor that shocked me was the cost of keeping them fed and in good condition.
My monthly food bill for 4 is minimally $60-70. My rays love pellets so that helps keep the cost down more so than rays that are stubborn and only eat frozen/raw or live foods. For the average hobbyist that’s a big food budget.
With an 81sq ft footprint you could prolly comfortably house up 8-10 adult rays but you’d really need automation for continuous water exchange to keep your nitrates in check for healthy rays…and $80-100/month for food
Do you want to breed or just enjoy them?
The other factor that shocked me was the cost of keeping them fed and in good condition.
My monthly food bill for 4 is minimally $60-70. My rays love pellets so that helps keep the cost down more so than rays that are stubborn and only eat frozen/raw or live foods. For the average hobbyist that’s a big food budget.
With an 81sq ft footprint you could prolly comfortably house up 8-10 adult rays but you’d really need automation for continuous water exchange to keep your nitrates in check for healthy rays…and $80-100/month for food
So far my leopoldi is eating pellets. I know the costs of keeping them as I used to have a very stubborn and sensitive hystrix who would go pale at the slightest level of nitrites and wouldn't eat anything other than thawed frozen foods. He eventually went to live a long life and died after a freak case of gill disorder.I guess your ray stock density really depends on your goals.
Do you want to breed or just enjoy them?
The other factor that shocked me was the cost of keeping them fed and in good condition.
My monthly food bill for 4 is minimally $60-70. My rays love pellets so that helps keep the cost down more so than rays that are stubborn and only eat frozen/raw or live foods. For the average hobbyist that’s a big food budget.
With an 81sq ft footprint you could prolly comfortably house up 8-10 adult rays but you’d really need automation for continuous water exchange to keep your nitrates in check for healthy rays…and $80-100/month for food