help with stingray

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h1n1

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 14, 2011
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hello i have a 4 inch stingray that ive had for about 2-3 weeks and who hasnt ate at all and have been breathing super heavy the whole time and been sitting prety much in one sot with out movement. my water chem is ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 20, gh 150, ph 7.2. now honestly i dont know anything about rays, the one i have is a teacup which im told is a smaller breed, but aslo more sensitive but im confused bc i know there from the amazon so they need soft acidic water, but i was told by the owner of my lfs that theyneed salt and high ph and gh, bc they originlly came from salt water areas, sounds suspisious bc sense there scaleless sensitive fish i assumed the salt could burn them but idk, would love some clearity on this and any thoughts on my my fish is sad and prob about to die, thanks
 
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?2402-Rays-12-Tips-for-prospective-owners-(by-bUrPz)


Potamotrygon Reticulata

Common Names: Reticulated River Ray, Teacup Ray, Colombian Ray

Distribution: Magdalena and Atrato Rivers, Colombia

Maximum Size (Disc Width): appx. 14"+, females get larger.

*Note: P. Magdalenae have elongated tails, total length adult: 30".
This is considered one of the 3 smallest Freshwater Stingrays.

Juvenile Tank Footprint: 48"x18"

Adult Tank Footprint: 72"x30"

Feeding Habits: P. Reticulata tend to very finicky eaters, especially when juvenile. They tend to only eat small live foods, such as ghost shrimp and blackworms for the first few months in captivity. Once acclimated, they can be weaned to other small prepared foods.

Info: Potamotrygon Reticulata is one of the most common and mis-identified stingrays in the aquarium hobby. Often Exported and Imported as 'Teacup' Stingray, a generic term used for a juvenile stingray with no identification. This species is more prone to becoming neglected during shipment, and being of very poor quality once acclimated in a local fish store. Parasites are a very common secondary infection due to stress and improper husbandry while at distributorships. P. Reticulata come in a number of different color variants and patterns. Both geographical variations will be noted in the photo gallery, as their is still much confusion to the identification of this particular species. It is believed that their are actually 2 seperate sub-species of P. Reticulkata, with names such as 'Red Reticulata, Potamotrygon sp. "Red", and Colombian Red Ray."

R.S Rosa recently hypothesized that P. Reticulata is synonymous with Potamotrygon Orbignyi, and should be classified as such. Hobbyists have noted some morphological differences in what seems to be 2 separate sub-species, such as the tail structure varying from one specimen to the next. It is near impossible to use these physical characteristics in home aquaria as defining parameters in the variations, due to shipping damage of the tail structure. Other defining characteristics in the variations have been noted as well, including the pattern and coloration on the underside of one P. Reticulata, while this characteristic is unfound in some other varieties of P. Reticulata.
 
Keep temp like 80* for those pup , do water change 20% ever other day add some black water condition to low ph down for bit , retic ray is not a hardy ray most the Time when they came in 90% is die as a pup. Good luck next time go with motoro ray much better
 
Ok buddy, that's a scary time, I've been there. First, keep the lights low or off. Second, feed him foods he'll love - live blackworms and ghost shrimp. Third, help the ph come down. 6.8 is ideal IMO. Fourth, don't change water every day - I would change it every 2-3 days to cut down on the stress. As long as the parameters are good, why stress him out with a water change? Fifth, I would add just a touch of dissolved aquarium salt. Don't make it brackish or anything, just a touch can be helpful. I guess one question I have is, what substrate is he on? Rays can get a new lease on life after hiding in smooth sand for an hour. I love my retic, it sucks they don't come into the lfs healthy. I think if you do the above, you've got a good shot. GL and keep us updated!
 
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