Sting Ray Update

Here is a stingray update from Kevin’s fish forum posting:

Well, I started looking around a little and was going to hold off in a Leo till next year, then I came across this ray. Interesting story. Went with another ray keeper to the local fish auction. I was interested in a royal pleco (sucker fish/plecostamus) they were going to sell and then I saw a gold nugget (also a sucker fish/plecostamus) which I really was interested in. 

Then before the action started I heard another ray keeper talking about a Leo (type of sting ray) at a pet shop, so I tuned in to listen to what they were talking about. They said it had been at the shop for a good while and was up in a tank far in the back up high. Don't know why you would keep such a stellar ray out of view. So, I looked them up on the internet and gave them a call ASAP to see if it was really true. Owner said “Ya we have a Leo and motoro (type of sting ray) here leo is about 12" disk.” My thought was it's a hybrid or maybe a henlie (another type of sting ray) more likely. I was thinking holy crap I need to get out of here and check this ray out. I saw one Leo listed through local classifieds about a year ago. I really don't think any Leos exist anywhere here. 

So, I decided to stay for the pleco auction and then drive over to the pet shop ASAP. I didn't really need the plecos but thought they would be a good add to the tanks I have, but also money not spent on them was money to spend on the ray. Royal went for 20.00 and gold nugget went for 30.00 super good deals. But I had my mind set on checking out this Leo. 

So we left the auction and headed to the fish store. I had never ever been to this shop before and first opinion was good. Looked everywhere and we looked though the tanks and could not fund this Leo. So asked the owner and he was all the way in the back up on the top rack where you could never see him unless you had a ladder.

The owner went to get a ladder and my friend was jumping up to look at him. His first comment was that it was a good size. Then a ladder came and I was able to get up and take a look to do a fast check over. Flag tail check. Everything else fit Leo. Size about 9 inches. Which was great as my other rays are about that size. Kept looking him over and he was super happy to see someone and was looking right at me the whole time. 

Well, I heard he had been there a while so I asked the owner what the bottom $ was and it was great but still figured I could try for a better deal. I know sad right. But I'm not made of a huge amount of money and rays are super costy. But he gave me a bottom dollar amount and we agreed on it. More than anything the pet shop owner was super happy to see the ray go to a person that knew what they were doing and had the proper tank setup. Was nice to see a owner and his wife running the shop doing everything together. They were very nice. Well, they seemed a little lost on how to bag him, so I offered to do it, and they were super happy to let me did that. While up getting ready to bag him I saw a few Massivore pellets and tossed them in and he jumped all over them. Sweet. Great healthy ray. 

Well after a little work got him home and a 45 min drip later, I added him to the tank. He was in a bare bottom tank and still as of now he has never hid in the sand. Super active and does not startle easy at all. Perfect ray so far. and I am fully addicted to my black ray. Well let's get some pics.

This is what he does when he think he is going to get fed. He is worse than a Lunar hound.

That is not a friendly looking tail.

All of the sting rays (minus one) checking Kevin out.