STINGRAY HYBRID

These hybrids are bred from multi generation hybrids to produce special patterns. The main attribute is the random, maze like pattern that runs throughout the body of the stingray. They can contain bloodlines from species such as Pearl, Marble Motoro, Boesemani, Mantilla, Motoro, Henlei, Leopoldi, and more. Each one is unique in its own way. Their pattern is constantly evolving which makes it very interesting to watch them develop.

Keeping in a tank

Freshwater rays are very sensitive to ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates content in water, that’s why it is important to have an understanding of a nitrogen cycle and keep the tank water crystal clear.

The latter is quite a challenging task since rays produce a large amount of ammonia. Large-sized tanks, efficient biological filtration, and regular water renews – is the only way to keep the proper tank and water conditions.

Most freshwater rays can be kept in a tank at PH from 6,8 to 7,6, alcalinity from 1° to 4° (from 18 to 70 ppm) and water temperature from 24 to 26°C. Ammonia and nitrites level should be zero, and nitrates level should be lower than 10 10 ppm.

In terms of the tank size for rays, the following approach works best – the larger, the better. The walls height is not a crucial parameter, but the tank should be from 180 to 220 cm long and from 60 to 90 cm wide to keep a ray in it for a long time.

A tank from 350 to 500 liters capacity will do to keep young rays in it, but for a long-term keeping of adult species, you will need a tank not less than 1000 liters large. Small-grained sand can be used as the tank substrate.

Feeding

Freshwater rays are flesh-eaters that feed mainly with fish and crustaceans in the wild. These are active fishes with high metabolism level, and that’s why you should feed them at least twice a day.

They are also known as gluttonous ones, thus the food for them will be quite costly for you. In general, the motoro stingray diest should be natural, though some may eat artificial food.

Young species eat live or frozen blood worm, tubifex, brine shrimps, prawns, etc., while adult ones should be fed with the food of larger size. It can be whole mussels, shellfishes, prawns, calamaries or fish juveniles (or some other fresh fish), and earthworms. Diverse diest is a must to keep the motoro stingray in its best condition.

Tank mates

Rays spend most of their time on the bottom. Their eyes and branchial apertures are on top of the body, which allows the fish to spend time under the sand waiting for food. They have perfect eyesight, and they jump out of the sand to catch their prey.

Other kinds of rays will be the best tank mates for stingray. Although Cichlasoma severum, Geophagus, silver arowana and Polypterus species will also do as stingray tank mates.

Rays are one of the main predators in ecosystems where they dwell in the wild, and it’s not safe to keep them together with most of the other fish kinds in a tank. Their tank mates should be large enough not to become food for them, but peaceful enough as well not to bite rays or steal their food.

Thus, fish that swims in upper and medium water layers will be the best choice in this case. I’d advise avoiding armored catfishes as rays tank mates, since there are a lot of documented reports saying that they get stuck to rays and damage their skin.

Gender differences: male vs female

Female species are larger than males, and they have two uteruses, which means that they can have offspring from two different males simultaneously. Males have modified fins that they use to fertilize the females.