Henlei X P14 Galaxy not eating

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sheebz

sheebz

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 24, 2011
154
22
48
Edmonton, AB, Canada
video.nest.com
hey guys,

might be jumping the gun here, but i just discovered one of my rays aren't eating.
I picked him up from a friend on Feb. 27th and can confirm he was eating there.
He swims on top of the food and acts like hes eating but its almost like hes playing with it. Tried earthworms, chopped shrimp, pellets, krill, mysis and bloodworms.
The only reason I realized he wasn't eating was that i noticed he was looking skinny around the tail/hip area. then started watching him more careful when i fed them.

I don't know if it means anything, but it also looks like he slams himself on the sand once in a while. like he'll lift up the front of his disc and hulk smash the sand a few times like hes frustrated or something. I only notice this with him.

My 2 other rays (motoro's) are eating perfectly fine and otherwise acting perfectly normal.

I guess my question is, is it normal for rays to go extended periods of time without eating after moving to a new home? Is there something I can add to the food to entice him to eat? Or just wait it out a bit longer?

Thanks
 
Problem you are having:
1. Ray Not Eating


Water conditions
2. What type of test kit are you using? API
3. Old and New water: Readings are? Dont have my own kit, got it tested at specialty fish store and all reading came back normal
4. Water temp? 75
5. What is your water change schedule (how often and how much) once every couple weeks - 20-30%


Tank setup info:
6. Type and depth of substrate? sand, 2.5-3 inch
7. How long has your tank been set up? 3 weeks (upgraded from a 150 gallon that was set up for 10 years - used old media)
8. Method of aeration of water? air stones, overflow, return tubes
9. When was the last time you cleaned tank and substrate? before i picked the ray up
10. What size tank do you have? (gallons/liters and footprint) 325 gallon
11. What type of filtration are you using in your tank? 80 gallon sump
Please post picture of your tank ray is housed in. (if able, this helps us see your tank set up and rays living conditions)


Tankmates and general info :
12. Tankmates and size of tankmates?
jardini arowana - 10 inch
x6 - 5 inch clown loaches
x8 inch fire eel
pleco - 10 inch
13. What and how often do the ray(s) eat and last time fed?daily - sinking pellets, bloodworms, mysis shrimp, chopped prawns, earthworms
14. How long have you been keeping rays? had them a long time ago, just got back into them with the new tank setup
15. How old are your ray(s) and sex (age, male or female)?
x2 motoro's are about a month old, henlei x galaxy i'm not sure on -hes about 7-8" disc
 
Sounds like you have the major components in place. The water change schedule does not sound sufficient. The jerking motion (rise and hard fall) can be related to water quality similar to fish flashing. 20%-30% is sufficient for cichlids and what not but rays need at least 50% per week IMO. Pond volume would be fine with smaller less frequent water changes since waste to water volume dilution ratio is much better.

The water perimeters were listed as normal. What does that mean? I would venture to guess the tank is still cycling or on the final stages since you used seeded media. Invest in a good test kit. It is a critical tool in every ray keepers bag. Increase the water changes and try cutting up earth worms into very small pieces. Once it takes those it should be easy street from there. Good luck man!! We’re pulling for ya.

PS I would LOVE to see a pic of this ray. I have this same mix and they aren’t too common.
 
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sheebz said:
ok cool i will up the water changes.
i've had cichlids for the last 15 years so im still getting the ins and outs for the rays

ill do another large water change tonight when i get home.

attached a pic of my ray for you

Thanks!

View attachment 1303548
Click to expand...

You bet. Now I am double pulling for this guy! Hell of a ray to dive back in with, he is very nice. Try and do as many water changes as possible and I would also recommend getting the temp up above 77. Black worms can help entice a ray to eat as well. They be kept very clean and fresh if you go that route though. I would recommend you start with cut earth worms and go from there.



He looks very similar to mine (pic for you as well). She is a bit larger but looked very close to your male when younger. LMK if you want an older pic as well.

IMG_3696.jpg
 
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sheebz said:
alright ill up the temp a bit after the water change tonight and see how he acts in the next couple days

how big is your ray? interested to see what theyll look like when thet get their adult coloration
Click to expand...

She is around 9"-10", the males around 6"-7". I am wondering the same as well. Keep us posted on your guy please.
 
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Both stunning babies.... will sure be interesting to see what they turn out looking like

sheebz sheebz ,
I agree that you need to do water changes weekly but, what I want t say is, when I upgraded my tank a little while ago, I also used all the media from the old tank but, I added Seachem Stability as well, for the first two weeks as a just in case and this worked like a dream
My rays and all tank mates were fine and showed no signs of any ill effects
Good luck
 
MariaS said:
Both stunning babies.... will sure be interesting to see what they turn out looking like

sheebz sheebz ,
I agree that you need to do water changes weekly but, what I want t say is, when I upgraded my tank a little while ago, I also used all the media from the old tank but, I added Seachem Stability as well, for the first two weeks as a just in case and this worked like a dream
My rays and all tank mates were fine and showed no signs of any ill effects
Good luck
Click to expand...

ya i added stability and I've been adding smart start complete every couple days to the tank.
i did a water change last night but didn't feed them. going to let him chill for a day before feeding again

Thanks!
 
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