sting ray?

[BigFish]

My lfs recently got in a sting ray (well it is a ray of some sort not sure if it is a sting ray however thats what they say it is) I was wondering if anybody has one , how big they get (the one in the store is very small), and what is the aprox cost(this one is $150) , oh yeah just a funny thing I thought I would add here in az sharks are illegal and technically a sting ray is a form of shark according to scientists so is it legal to sell at a fish store. Or should this be reported? The guy in the lfs didnt know much about it but he sweated when I brought up the shark thing wonder if it will be there next time I go in

[Pineapple House]

Moving to the 'Aggressive Fish' forum :)

PH =)

[BigFish]

why did you move it here dont stingrays eat plankton, I thought they were filter feeders? Im not sure though :D Are they agressive in a tank setting mabe that is why they are left by themselfs in a tank at my lfs.

[matrixnyc]

StingRays are aggressive :)

http://www.liveaquaria.com/images/products/large/pw77997thornback_stingray.jpg

Thornback Stingray
(Platyrhinoidis triseriata)

Quick Stats
Minimum Tank Size: 300 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Temperament: Aggressive
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 2'
Reef Compatible: No
Caution: Venomous
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Northern South America, South America
Family: Rhinobatidae

http://www.liveaquaria.com/images/products/large/pw78049bluedot_stingray.jpg

Blue Dot Stingray
(Taeniura lymma)

Quick Stats
Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Temperament: Aggressive
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 1'
Reef Compatible: No
Caution: Venomous
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Australia, Indo-Pacific
Family: Dasyatidae


Do either of those look like the ones they had in the LFS?

[BigFish]

the blue dot is the one my lfs has thx for the info

[BigFish]

Was I even right about the shark thing thats what it said on the discovery channel video I watched.

[BigFish]

I was never interested in purchasing one though, I was simply more interested in the legality of it in az. If they are a form of shark thenshould it be reported?

[Lahatiel]

:roll: Until your LFS gets a great white in for sale, I would just leave them alone. I am sure 'no shark' sales means NO SHARKS...not 'no sharks and rays because they are technically sharks'.

I would just let it go and go on with life. :wink:

[Lahatiel]

The differences could take a full semester of biology to truly understand, but here goes my attempt:

Rays and Sharks belong to the same class, and that is pretty far up in the classification of the species. So no, rays are really not sharks...just closely related "cartilaginous fishes". To be exact they belong to the "class" Chrondrichthyes.

Monkeys, fish, humans, cats, dogs, sharks, and rays could all fall under the same kingdom, the animal kingdom. However, dogs are offered for sale everyday, but it is against the law to sell human slaves...should we report someone for selling dogs? No, I think not....because it isn't the same thing. ;)


Kingdom:
The highest category into which organisms are classified.

Phylum:
A category used in the classification that consists of one or several similar or
closely related classes. You may also use DIVISION.

Class:
One or several similar or closely related orders. Similar classes are grouped
into PHYLUM.

Order:
One or several similar or closely related families. Similar orders form a
CLASS.

Family:
One or several similar or closely related genera. Similar families are grouped
into an ORDER. The names are usually determined from a type genus (Cactus,
Equus) that is characteristic of the whole family.

Genus (pl. genera):
A number of similar or closely related species. The common name of an organism
is sometimes identical to the genus, e.g. Lilium = lily. Similar genera are
grouped into a FAMILY.

Species:
A group of similar individuals that can breed and produce fertile offspring.
Similar and related species are grouped into a GENUS. Within certain groups,
species may not mate and will under different selection pressures develop
different characteristics form the main population. This is called a
subspecies.

taken from: http://www.iit.edu/~smile/pl95m5.html



Why am I so particular about this subject of 'reporting' a lfs? Because it can be very detrimental to a business to be reported for something that truly isn't illegal to begin with.

Taking a deep breath now..... phew....

[phistio]

the blue spot ray is commonly sold in the aquaria circle...

and if it were tank raised (which is somewhat highly unlikely)...than there would be no legal issue. also, some forms (of sharks) are considered endangered, in which case makes them illegal for import and exportation.

this is somewhat of a grey issue...

but IMO, creatures such as blue spot rays, or wobbygong sharks, or banded sharks (or any other of the most commonly sold species) should be left to the wild. the natural territory of a shark (any size) ranges hundreds of square miles...not feet!

[BigFish]

Lahatiel,

thanks for that, it is funny but today i went to the library and spent an hour just figuring that out. I would prob not have ever told on the fish store, however blackmale would have been nice :twisted: , mabe a free coral :)
just joking but. No sharks None at all are legal in az that includes tank raised I believe. Also please correct me If I am wrong and thx for doing so, I really enjoy learning about this stuff.

[Lahatiel]

:lol:

good deal bigfish... Just didn't want someone caused an unnecessary amount of aggravation when it isn't warranted.

Take care!!!