Reticulatus stingray.

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Fenton

Fenton

Gambusia
MFK Member
Mar 12, 2013
296
1
18
Staffordshire, England
Looking at getting a reticulatus ray. I've been researching them for about 4 months now, even upgraded my tank to a 6x2x2 purely for the occasion. I know this will need upgrading again in a year or twos time. A lfs has the particular ray mentioned in stock at a reasonable price but this wasn't the breed I was originally contemplating.

Are these are more hardy variety?
They are advertised to grow a max of 18 inch eventually males a little less, is this true? I don't want to end up with a 3foot one that needs a ridiculous tank that I'd have to move house to achieve.

Ive watched them feed on bloodworms and fresh prawns on 2 occasions now and they can't get enough, they are between 5 and 7 inch disc currently, is this a good size to buy in at health wise and roughly how old will they be?


it will be a few weeks until I get them as the new tank was set up 2 weeks ago with all the old plants, driftwood, water and sand from the old tank, old bio balls plus ones already used from the previous owner as part of a sump filter, water has been stable since day 3 with 0amonia. (Posted yesterday about possible 0. 25 readying but bought a new test and this is sure 0while the old one still reads the same )

I know it's a tanks and a half to keep them healthy but that's half the reason I want one and have for so long. Any advise appreciated especially on this particular variant of ray.

Thanks
 
Retics are one of the harder species of rays to take care of. I've read a lot of places that Motoro stingrays are your best bet. most LFS label these as "teacup" stingrays when they are usually retics or hystrix. I know the biggest problem with these people seem to have is getting them to eat... But you say you have seen them eat on two different occasions then I say your good to go. As long as you have done the research you have said you have done you should be fine! Retic stingrays do get pretty big. I've seen ones with 30" discs across. I couldn't tell you how fast they grow though :p
 
Not that I'm bothered of cost. I want the best quality stock I can get. But is the Motoro so much easier to keep that they are twice the cost for the same size? As I do have the option for a Motoro as well. An idea of growth rate on both would be ideal to any one who knows from experience.
 
Fenton said:
Not that I'm bothered of cost. I want the best quality stock I can get. But is the Motoro so much easier to keep that they are twice the cost for the same size? As I do have the option for a Motoro as well. An idea of growth rate on both would be ideal to any one who knows from experience.
Click to expand...

I asked the same questions since I was looking into rays. And apparently the problem with the retics is that they are wild caught and almost impossible to get on pre prepared food. Motoros will hit the 18 inch mark within a year and a half or so is what i was told and can max out at 24 inches for a male and 30 for female i believe.
 
I've seen 30"+ female motoros but I've never heard of a retic in captivity reaching the 18" max that most resources use unless you're including the tail then 30" isn't unheard of. The only reason people say they are not the best beginner ray is because almost all of them are wild caught and arrive in stores in poor condition. They can be finnicky eaters but my little female goes absolutely bonkers for night crawlers, she even trys to eat full size ones that are for my motoro. Just make sure they're retics, some rays get labelled retic or teacup falsely.
 
The biggest problem with retics is that that they are wild caught and most likely carry parasites. Treat with prazi right off the bat and you should be fine especially if you have seen them eat. Retics would be fine in your tank for years if you can keep them alive for that long. I've tried them 3 times with no success. Longest being 1 year. Not sure what I'm doing wrong but also have motoros and Leo's for over five years and none of them died. They are cheaper but if your going for small try a hystrix or orb.


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Have you had any other fish in your new tank? I'm guessing your already cycled if you used all of you previous filter media. If your media was from a running tank it should be ready to go right off the hop. Rays produce a lot of waste as I am sure you've read a hundred times. Do your water changes weekly 30 - 50% depending how many your stocking and you'll be fine. Remember to treat for internal parasites if you buy wild caught specimens or the will most likely die on you. Good luck. Rays are fantastic to own and seriously addictive.


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yes there's a young silver arow 5-6 inch, and 2 9 inch oscars already doing probably 30-40 % i dont do it every week though its every 5 days, as thats how my shifts work, and i accept i will need 50 % gone with a ray in addition to a 20 % half way through the ones m looking at im told have already been treated, should i continue this or am i ok ?
 
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