Hystrix Stingray from Aquascape.com.. First time keeping a ray

[MFNRyan]

I just got a Hystrix Stingray from Aquascape yesterday. I have kept fish for over 10 years now, keep piranha mostly. Decided to try a ray. Thought joining this site with the vast ray keepers would be a good idea. This is also my first MFK post lol.. So I got the ray yesterday, took off from work just to be here for receiving him. Was lively when I opened the box. Had foam over his barb so I removed it. Poured his water into a bucket. Removed a large cup full of the water. Set up a drip and let it run for 2 hours with 1-2 drip per second. I tried offering him a live earthworm during drip he swam over it but would not eat it. So I removed the worm. I put him in the tank and within 5 minutes he was swimming all over. Then he stopped and hung out in one spot. I had the lights off. Offered him a worm again and he did not take it. removed the worm. he has been in the tank about 35 hours now. No lights, has taken no food and does not swim much at all. I hope this is from stress. I have offered him a worm 3 times today. trying not to mess with him much. I have around 1/2 to 1" of black sand from petco in the tank. It does not feel sharp to the touch but when he rises I do notice 3 or 4 single grains stick to him. Is this bad or ok? I have him in a 55g right now with a cascade 1500 (300gp) and a mag 250 (250gp). Both of these filters have been running for over a year and the tank was well cycled before I entered the ray. 650 gallon turn over should be good for now. I know he will get much bigger and need more space that's fine I can put up a big tank no issue. his water is 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10 nitrates, and 6.8 ph. He is in with 2 discus that are small and one 4" peacock bass. None of them mess with him what so ever. He does not take food and he is skinny.. needs fattened up.. also isn't very lively which I hear is out of character for these. How long does it take them to come around? Do you experienced guys notice anything I am doing that may not be correct for him? I did a lot of research on these guys before I bought one..months to a year! Some tips and help would be appreciated! I know extensive water changes are needed and pristine water is a must. The fish I keep needed it to so I have more then adequate filtration. I do mostly bio media with some mechanical filtration. All ray keeping tips welcomed

 

[KNH]

Are you chopping up the worm into small pieces or offering a whole worm? Cut them into bite sized pieces. As long as your water is fine I would just give it some more time.

 

[MFNRyan]

I tried chopping it up this last time in to small pieces. They landed right in front of him, he swam past them like they were not even there. I also tried feeding him with metal tongs.. I hear the metal activates his senses. He swam at it but would not eat. Wonder if this is stress from the shippment? Will leave him alone until I try to go to bed then check on him for tonight

 

[PeteLockwood]

I would get Live Black Worms immediately. Don't wait. It's likely what he's been eating and will be where you're almost certainly going to need to start.

 

[MFNRyan]

There is no one within an hour from me that has or can get blackworms. Sucks!

 

[framcosco]

I would get Live Black Worms immediately. Don't wait. It's likely what he's been eating and will be where you're almost certainly going to need to start.

Totally agree. Blackworms should do the trick. I think Pedro (aquascape) feeds blackworms. You can also leave the blackworms in the tank as these are aquatic worms and will not die/decay in the aquarium. best of luck.

 

[framcosco]

There is no one within an hour from me that has or can get blackworms. Sucks!

LFS? I would drive the one plus hour to get the blackworms under these circumstances. It's very stressed and looks skinny. Feed the ray blackworms sooner than later. Once it has settled in, you can slowly introduce it to other foods.

 

[MFNRyan]

Does everything else I am doing seem to be ok? The way I am keeping him all this? Or does anyone have any tips on keeping him happy and healthy

 

[MFNRyan]

LFS? I would drive the one plus hour to get the blackworms under these circumstances. It's very stressed and looks skinny. Feed the ray blackworms sooner than later. Once it has settled in, you can slowly introduce it to other foods.

I checked all 3 of the LFS near me. They don't have and can not get them. Of those 3 places one is Petco, other two are self owned. IDK if there are even black worms out side the 1 hour circle from my house. That is just all I checked. Bait stores and pet stores. I can look though if nothing else pittsburgh should have them. That's a three hour drive but like you said he needs them. I agree it is very skinny and for 35 hours I know it has not ate. I'm sure the 14 hour shipping process it didn't eat and maybe even some time before that. He needs food and fast. I was hoping he would be hungry enough to take my earth worms but it doesn't seem to matter to him.

 

[framcosco]

Does everything else I am doing seem to be ok? The way I am keeping him all this? Or does anyone have any tips on keeping him happy and healthy

personally, I would keep the ray by itself and give it time to settle. Take the discus and cichla out. continue to keep the water clean. you can also increase temp to 82/84 degrees (this may help with it eating also). .....AND GET THE BLACKWORMS