Most Expensive Bottom Dwellers... I have :(

Sharing my Leopoldi.... They are like puppies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hQndBKXqEo

A man of my own heart... I am a Datnoid owner myself. 90% of fish keepers have no clue what datnoids are... especially here in the midwest. I love the Leopoldi they are really nice looking. I've always liked Henlei's a tad bit more, but no doubt about it the Leopldi are beautiful. They only thing I would do differently is trade out the the tin foil barbs and sub them with some Flagtails. Anyhow nice tank.

OMG thoes are way to cool. Where did you get them at?

very nice. i think one of them ate sponge bob tho.

Rays are my absolute fav! How long have you had them? Been able to hand train them as yet? Tank looks a bit deep to be able to do that though.

If I may offer some advice...I would remove the bikini bottom ornaments. Keep the nice big stone but shift it over to the right a bit more. This will open the bottom up more to them.

They're beautiful! I want a ray so bad but just don't have the ability to provide a large enough living space for them. When we finally purchase our own home we'll be putting in a an indoor pond for them.

Amazing fish you have! I have already considered getting a few rays but as of yet have not committed o it. Once I finish my 280 build that story might change.

They look very nice. I would love to have some rays one day.

those are awesome!!!

wow they are beautiful! How big will they get and what size tank do they need, and what do they eat, and do they have to poisonous barb. I didn't know there where freshwater ones for tanks. How expensive are they?

Not to hijack from the OP...

They got a little more growing to do. For these guys (and most rays for that matter), the recommended minimum tank is a footprint of 6x3x2 (just over 250g). Footprint and floor space is most important.

As with all rays, they do have the barb so be carefull when working in the tank. Always know where they are prior to sticking your hand in there. ;o)

There are many varieties of freshwater rays. Motoro's are the most commonly seen. They can be trained to be hand fed which I must say is the coolest! Feeling the disk glide over your hand is awesome.

As for price...well...let's just say the Leo's are one of the more expensive ones. If you can get them as pups, they will be cheaper. Once they get a disc size of around 12", you'll be looking at a pretty penny.

Hopefully the OP will tell us more about his guys.

TheGodParticle wrote:

A man of my own heart... I am a Datnoid owner myself. 90% of fish keepers have no clue what datnoids are... especially here in the midwest. I love the Leopoldi they are really nice looking. I've always liked Henlei's a tad bit more, but no doubt about it the Leopldi are beautiful. They only thing I would do differently is trade out the the tin foil barbs and sub them with some Flagtails. Anyhow nice tank.

I really know what you mean my friend. Some lfs dont even know how to tell them apart. I am waiting for those datnoid to get back in season so i can order myself a box of 80. Last year or so, they were $10 a piece, and now i cant even find one >:(

I sold my Henlei to get some $$ for these pair of leo. I love my henlei too, but she will never have a rich black and white white spot like leo.

I have tried keeping those Flagtails. I had 7 but they keep sucking on my rays, so i got rid of them quickly. And thanks for the comments.

KMX wrote:

OMG thoes are way to cool. Where did you get them at?

I got them from H2O, they are Black Diamond x Leopoldi (BDxLEO). And I think rays are illegal in texas. So...KMX, you have to settle watching my video instead :) I am trying to setup a webcam so i can view my fish while away from home. This forum should setup something like this, so we all can view each other tank live!!

Holey Rock of Texas wrote:

very nice. i think one of them ate sponge bob tho.

YES!! Been hunting for the right sponge bob figurine, but where is he!!

James0816 wrote:

Rays are my absolute fav! How long have you had them? Been able to hand train them as yet? Tank looks a bit deep to be able to do that though.

If I may offer some advice...I would remove the bikini bottom ornaments. Keep the nice big stone but shift it over to the right a bit more. This will open the bottom up more to them.

I had them for almost 4 month. I had to feed them black worms at first, then nightcrawler, and then Market Shrimp(MP). Trying to get them to eat pellet. When i first got them, they always hiding and only come out when the light is out. But now they are better, they come to the front when I come. :)

I would love to remove the bikini bottom ornament, but this is "my son" tank. If you know what i mean. :)

Jeepluv77 wrote:

They're beautiful! I want a ray so bad but just don't have the ability to provide a large enough living space for them. When we finally purchase our own home we'll be putting in a an indoor pond for them.

Good luck :) I am looking forward to seeing a video of yours soon!!

strikingthematch wrote:

Amazing fish you have! I have already considered getting a few rays but as of yet have not committed o it. Once I finish my 280 build that story might change.

Awesome!! I am looking toward in adding another female to my collection too, but first I have to find some money :(

Ben wrote:

They look very nice. I would love to have some rays one day.

Thanks

Demonkegman wrote:

those are awesome!!!

Thanks

whisper wrote:

wow they are beautiful! How big will they get and what size tank do they need, and what do they eat, and do they have to poisonous barb. I didn't know there where freshwater ones for tanks. How expensive are they?

1. They get really really big. 24-28" Disc and 32-34" long (from what I saw).

2. The tank size people recommend is 4' x 8' tank; the bigger the better and yes, my tanks is small :)

3. As for what they eat is what you train it to eat, but most love worms and shrimp.

4. They have poisonous Barb.... Just like the one who kill the croc hunter :(

5. There is freshwater stingrays but they are expensive. Not all lfs carry them because many people can provide the right space for them. Here is a quick reference for some I know...

a. retic stingray - smallest stingray (1 foot max) $60-80
b. motoro stingray - most common $100-120
c. marble motoro - higher end motoro stingray $200-250
d. flower - hard to keep $300-350
e. henlei - cheaper version black $600-800
f. leopoldi - rich black color $900-1100
g. Black diamond leopoldi - rich black with lots of dots - $2000-2500
h. Glaxi aka thousand island - tons and tons of dots - $3500+

Mine is a cross between a leo and a black diamond (BDxLEO); cost me $1300ea

James0816 wrote:

Not to hijack from the OP...

They got a little more growing to do. For these guys (and most rays for that matter), the recommended minimum tank is a footprint of 6x3x2 (just over 250g). Footprint and floor space is most important.

As with all rays, they do have the barb so be carefull when working in the tank. Always know where they are prior to sticking your hand in there. ;o)

There are many varieties of freshwater rays. Motoro's are the most commonly seen. They can be trained to be hand fed which I must say is the coolest! Feeling the disk glide over your hand is awesome.

As for price...well...let's just say the Leo's are one of the more expensive ones. If you can get them as pups, they will be cheaper. Once they get a disc size of around 12", you'll be looking at a pretty penny.

Hopefully the OP will tell us more about his guys.

it all kewl, I agree :)

Ma12cus504 wrote:

I would love to remove the bikini bottom ornament, but this is "my son" tank. If you know what i mean. :)

Know exactly what you mean. I had several things in tanks that I didn't necessarily want when the kids were smaller. My best one was always ghost shrimp. Would keep them occupied for quite awhile trying to find them all. :o)

I've dealt with rays for many a moon now. In the planning stages of a 10' tank in the rec room for them again. Fighting on some design mods but narrowing it down bit by bit.

Kudos on the Leo's....that's a big chunk of change. Definately not for the novice keepers.

i wish those where legal to own here in Florida as they only allow one type of sting ray to be owned

greydragon12345 wrote:

i wish those where legal to own here in Florida as they only allow one type of sting ray to be owned

Kinda weird how big gigantic snake such as burmese, retic, and rock pythons are allowed but not stingray :)

they are working on making the larger snakes illeagel as well

awesome Rays!

Thanks for sharing with us!!