Fresh water stingrays

[DRMICHAEL20]

Im thinking about buying a fresh water sting ray. But i was wondering if you can take out the stinger of the ray? I know at aquariums places like seaworld, and moody gardens, they take out the stingers. How do you do it? Do you have to take them somewhere?

[sunkenmetal]

first might want to see if they are legal in texas lol

[Chris.d514]

From what I have read in FW stringrays they are illegal in Texas unless you get a permit for them. This is because our natural waters are just warm enough that in theory a pair that was released into the wild could start a population and that would be destructive to the native fish and waterways.

[rgonzales]

There are a few legal species of ray here none of which are good for beginner ray keepers as they get get huge and are highly sensitive. Antenna, ceja, and mekong rays are legal as are the florida rays although they do not fare well in freshwater tanks that arent 10x the size they should be. Also those places do not remove the barbs, the barbs can be temporarily capped but most rays are pretty docile.

[rgonzales]

From what I have read in FW stringrays they are illegal in Texas unless you get a permit for them. This is because our natural waters are just warm enough that in theory a pair that was released into the wild could start a population and that would be destructive to the native fish and waterways.

As a private hobbiest there is no way to get a permit for potamotrygon or any other illegal fish. Flawed logic from our lawmakers

[DRMICHAEL20]

Thanks everyone, i appriciate the helpfull information.

[rgonzales]

Thanks everyone, i appriciate the helpfull information.

Sorry the news couldnt have been better

[moganman]

Those places do take out the barbs rgonzales. When I majored in fisheries biology, I got the chance to work with the biologists at sea world and they always clip the barbs so when they hand feed them, they don't get hit. They do grow back and they continue to clip them. Not sure about them being illegal and all that but they do clip them.

[rgonzales]

Those places do take out the barbs rgonzales. When I majored in fisheries biology, I got the chance to work with the biologists at sea world and they always clip the barbs so when they hand feed them, they don't get hit. They do grow back and they continue to clip them. Not sure about them being illegal and all that but they do clip them.

I thought i saw different but You showed me, ill go back under my rock now

[Nickintex]

Freshwater Florida/Atlantic stingrays ARE legal though, and I heard you can use wire cutters or toenail trimmers to clip the stinger off, but it will grow back.

[rgonzales]

Freshwater Florida/Atlantic stingrays ARE legal though, and I heard you can use wire cutters or toenail trimmers to clip the stinger off, but it will grow back.

Correct any rays not in the family potomatrygon are legal. But as i said floridas are a bad choice they produce alot of excess ammonia to survive in fresh water

[tbui1178]

I've seen some FW rays at LFS in Houston.. not sure what kind they were though.

[Nickintex]

I've seen some FW rays at LFS in Houston.. not sure what kind they were though.

Florida/Atlantic stingrays. Fish Gallery has them.

[DTony]

I have seen Motoro's.. as well as other types of Teacups at a certain LFS.. They usually sell within hours of arriving so I'm assuming people order them through the lfs. Honestly, the laws banning most FW Rays may mean well, but they would never last in Texas rivers.. Our winters reach to the low 30's occasionally, which is too low for any Ray to survive.

[rgonzales]

I have seen Motoro's.. as well as other types of Teacups at a certain LFS.. They usually sell within hours of arriving so I'm assuming people order them through the lfs. Honestly, the laws banning most FW Rays may mean well, but they would never last in Texas rivers.. Our winters reach to the low 30's occasionally, which is too low for any Ray to survive.

Not to mention they need pristine water conditions and dont reproduce quickly and the pups would make an easy meal for any big fish