help - rays are "shedding"

[JeremyXXXX]

When I bought my wild caught MM a couple months ago I noticed what appeared to be her "shedding" her slime coat. I figured it was just from the stress of the long transport from Colombia and her adjusting to the new tank. Then I noticed my male motoro who I have had for a while now started to peel a little bit. The first picture is from when I first got her. She is not peeling in such large pieces anymore but they are both still peeling in little bits and pieces and it's a cause for concern.

Also you can see in the last picture how clogged up my Fluval filter intakes get from this after just a day or two.

Any suggestions? I am doing water changes every 4 days. Also bare with me I can't really take good pictures of them they don't stop moving and it is hard to show what I am talking about on a camera.

 

[aquaman45]

First thing to do is check your water parameters using an in date test kit,generally there is some issue here that would cause these symptoms.

 

[JeremyXXXX]

my Fluval 405 has been running for 2 weeks now so I will be cleaning out my FX5 this week I think clogged up hoses are a big factor in all of this. my pH is low (about 6.2) and I'm hoping after I clean out my FX5 things get better.

 

[nomad]

First thing to do is check your water parameters using an in date test kit,generally there is some issue here that would cause these symptoms.

^what he said. One cause of this is high ammonia.

 

[JeremyXXXX]

thanks guys. I am gonna start doing larger water changes more often and continue to test me parameters. My pH is low like I said but it is consistent so I don't see that as being a problem.

 

[JeremyXXXX]

I found this thread very helpful...

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?224394-GREAT-my-ray-now-should-i-be-concerned

 

[johno27]

What is the Ph from your tap?

Your ph shouldn't be that low, Your ph has probably crashed from excess dissolved organics, causing your BB to go dormant, which leads to ammonia and slime coat shedding.

Before you entertain the idea of treating for parasites make sure your water is not the issue. In my limited experience with rays I have found the simplest explanation is often the right one.

If you have any questions hit me up, for now I would just keep the stress low and do 25-30% water changes once a day.

 

[JeremyXXXX]

Thank you for your input as always, much appreciated. My pH never used to be this low it used to be more around the 7.2 range not the 6.2 range.

I have been feeding my rays less the last few days in order to lessen the bio load and when I fed my rays tonight my male didn't eat any massivore which he usually pounces on. My arowana has also been less aggressive for food lately as well. Arowana is eating but not lunging for food like he used to.