End of life? Hystrix Ray 12-13 years old help

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wg666666

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jan 20, 2009
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Philly
I have raised a female hystrix for last 12-13 years and the last week she has stopped eating ..prior to that month or so, she started eatingless frequently ... now, . there’s a “bump” between her eyes and the front of her nose, seems swollen as does the rest of her body....she’s lethargic and just rests under a log in the corner of the aquarium ....could this be the natural end of her life? She’s in a 240, ph 7.0, ammonia-0, nitrite 0, nitrate, 20-30..... weekly large water changes since I got her as a pup...... thoughts?
 
I have raised a female hystrix for last 12-13 years and the last week she has stopped eating ..prior to that month or so, she started eatingless frequently ... now, . there’s a “bump” between her eyes and the front of her nose, seems swollen as does the rest of her body....she’s lethargic and just rests under a log in the corner of the aquarium ....could this be the natural end of her life? She’s in a 240, ph 7.0, ammonia-0, nitrite 0, nitrate, 20-30..... weekly large water changes since I got her as a pup...... thoughts?

You did a outstanding job raising and caring for the Hytrix female. My guess is natural end after 13 years.
 
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Reactions: Jexnell
Always worth a hit of fluke solve and raised temp for a week.
Good luck.
She's an old girl but not the oldest although I can't comment if Hystrix have a lower life expectancy or not.
They say the average life of ray in general can be up to 20 years.
 
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Reactions: tlindsey
I agree with Jim Barry most rays with good water quality can live 20 plus years. I have a pair of hystrix that are 12 years old and still breeding. Maybe hit the tank with Prazi and raise the temp to about 85 to increase hunger. Good luck with her, I hope you can pull her through this.
 
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Reactions: BigShawn
My hystrix female had similar symptoms before passing. Her appetite slowly decreased until she stopped eating. She started to swell at the same time and passed about a month later. I think I had her for 10-11 years.
 
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Reactions: ShadowStryder
Dropsy/bloat, id give her a 5-10day course with fishdoxy. If you can get your hands on it. I recognize your description.
Ease with food for some days, if bloated her intestines could be really messed up. And if she’s healthy besides this some days without food is not a problem. And after a couple of days give her something really easy to digest like earthworms/nightcrawlers. Small amount of food to begin with, and not to often. And slowly up the amount of food for each day when you see shes digging for food and seems healthy again. Hopefully she’s back on track soon.
 
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