I've been actually thinking of getting one, but I really need to know how much care it needs. Also, what kind of stingray is the easiest to take care of? I don't want a really big stingray, just a smaller species. What do they normally eat, and how big do their tanks usually need to be? Thanks :)
And just to be safe, is it legal to own stingrays in Texas?
Freshwater stingrays
Anonymous
No, there is no such thing as a small stingray; that's what petshops tell people so they won't realize that this is a fish that most people can't keep alive and they die while still babies, and still small.
A 200 gallon tank is too small even for a baby and they're sensitive enough that even experienced aquariasts have trouble with them. They're very cool fish, but unless you are building a thousand gallon pond/tank, they aren't going to live past the first few months. Sorry
http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/aquainfo/freshwater_stingray.html
Payton34
The smallest tank I would recommend is a 125 with a large sump filter. Rays like to swim around a lot and produce a lot of waste the reason for a large sump filter. Rays will eat shrimp, fish, scallops, worms, home made food, blackworms, bloodworms. But you won't have to worry about this because rays are illegal to own in Texas along with 8 other states.
catx
To be honest it doesn't sound like you're ready. Even the small ones get too big for the average fish tank, they need long and wide custom build tanks or ponds. Also, freshwater or marine?
I would suggest reading everything on this site, they are the Ray keeping experts:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?116-Stingrays
Water logged
All species of freshwater stingray are illegal in Texas.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/exotic/prohibited_aquatic.phtml
noselessman
the smallest so called "teacup"sting ray grows to 14 inches round and has an 8 inch long tail. They need a giant 300 gallon+ kiddy pool shaped tank'
With some research and extra care, you could make a set up for hillstream loaches. These are little sting ray shaped fish.
http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstream-loaches-the-specialists-at-life-in-the-fast-lane