bite injury
- Thread starter Jez1992
- Start date
Well this explains why they are getting worse, the male is still at it and trying it on. Caught a bit on vid but won't let me upload annoyingly.
I know he got her before as she 'passed' the sperm plug, as opposed to finding it being free floating in tank.
will he stop if she's pregnant or just keep at it during? Lol
I know he got her before as she 'passed' the sperm plug, as opposed to finding it being free floating in tank.
will he stop if she's pregnant or just keep at it during? Lol
Depends on the male. Some chill out until birth or just before. Some just won't stop harassing their mate even after she's pregnant. I like to separate once I'm positive of pregnancy for a few reasons.
1. If he starts at it during later term she might miscarry them early from stress or possibly to breed again sooner (theory). I've had this happen when I had less tanks and ponds and couldn't separate in some circumstances, the male continued to bite and she miscarried premature pups then they spawned again a few days later.
2. Sometimes males will try to breed again immediately after birth, if the birth happens at night the female could be bred again by the time you even notice pups. I've seen pups and sperm plug at the same time. I always like to give the females a few months off minimum for longterm health (theory and a hunch).
3. Sometimes males will mistake "The scent of a woman" on the newborn pups and chew them up thinking their attempting to flip the edge of the female (theory as to why this happens). This is usually fatal.
4. I've never had a pair lose their "bond" while separated, but I have heard other breeders say this has happened to them. I'm not afraid of this, but your decision to factor.
If you're positive they've already spawned, then factor that into your decision as well
1. If he starts at it during later term she might miscarry them early from stress or possibly to breed again sooner (theory). I've had this happen when I had less tanks and ponds and couldn't separate in some circumstances, the male continued to bite and she miscarried premature pups then they spawned again a few days later.
2. Sometimes males will try to breed again immediately after birth, if the birth happens at night the female could be bred again by the time you even notice pups. I've seen pups and sperm plug at the same time. I always like to give the females a few months off minimum for longterm health (theory and a hunch).
3. Sometimes males will mistake "The scent of a woman" on the newborn pups and chew them up thinking their attempting to flip the edge of the female (theory as to why this happens). This is usually fatal.
4. I've never had a pair lose their "bond" while separated, but I have heard other breeders say this has happened to them. I'm not afraid of this, but your decision to factor.
If you're positive they've already spawned, then factor that into your decision as well
Thanks for the detailed reply diesel, extremely useful!
Unfortunately atm have some pups divided off so haven't space to move male away, but should be selling them next week clearing space and then will definitely separate them to allow her to heal.
Think my idea on other thread with a second tank is definitely a go after all this. A lot to learn with breeding Rays and I could really do with a time out tank for the males!
What size tank for your dudes? My oldest male is a hystrix hybrid that has yet to roll being an absolute nightmare to the other rays. A younger black/brown hybrid male has recently begun to hit maturity with his claspers growing a ton, but is much nicer on the ladies.
My males are spread out across a few other identical ponds and some acrylic tanks. I like to have a safe haven for pregnant females, recovering females, injured rays, juveniles I'm moving around. Not much aggression in there, just food aggression.
I think some is temperament. There is probably some alpha heirarchy going on. Some rays bite a lot, some would rather steal food than hunt for it. I move fish around a lot, trying to find couples that like each other and tolerate one another. I've have two males that can never go together, they always fight 247.
I think some is temperament. There is probably some alpha heirarchy going on. Some rays bite a lot, some would rather steal food than hunt for it. I move fish around a lot, trying to find couples that like each other and tolerate one another. I've have two males that can never go together, they always fight 247.
I think you need to do a tour of your set up for us?!! Defiantly a thread that you need to create.
are your tanks/ponds on a linked system or separate systems? And may I ask what filtrations systems do you use.
I use k1 and large UV but always looking to improve
Once I finish a few more projects I'll probably make a big thread. For now sharing specimens and ideas. Everything is on separate systems, I like being able to isolate. I use acrylic sumps with k1, and 55 gallon barrels with poret, matrix/pumice, 50 micron felt sheets. I used to use matala but I don't find much of a use for it anymore, I like poret more. Drips are a huge help also.
Thx for the idea in the poret. How do you use it? Where do you buy it? I am NY based.
Thx
