Lump in Orb Ray underside?

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salt-h2okeeper

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 17, 2010
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San Diego
This is my first time posting - I posted to the general aquaria Forum first, but was (appreciatively) pointed to this Shark/ray forum. If there is a way to 'move' a post - I would do that, but not knowing how to do that, am posting my problem here - any help greatly appreciated as we love this fish!....:

Our orb ray has a large lump on its underside near its mouth that has grown and is causing difficulty eating (see photo). He has had it for about a month, is ravenous, but not able to get much down. I know sharks can get goiters from low iodine, but this came about really suddenly (couple of days) and they eat a varied diet.
It could possibly be a piece of squid cartilage that got lodged in its throat... I gave our two rays (blue spotted & orb) and shark (bamboo) chopped squid a month ago (which they all LOVED), but may not have removed all the cartilage from the squid. The lump showed up right after the squid feeding. This was the first time they've gotten fresh, unfrozen squid (purchased at asian fish market).

We have had the aquarium for 1-1/2 years and both the spotted blue and orb rays for that entire time. They both have always eaten very well and have had no other problems, ever (except for a biting angelfish that is no longer living with us). The water quality is perfect, nothing else has changed, so am thinking it could be the piece of squid cartilage that is now either infected or ???

I would take to fish dr. if that was possible; he's a great pet, but don't think that's possible.

Any thoughts...???

Here is photo:
IMG_0714.jpeg
 
Maybe I'm behind on my stingray lingo, but what species is an "Orb ray"?

Couple things that will be asked, so I'll just get them out of the way.
Describe the 'varied' diet for us. And besideds saying 'perfect', what are the levels in your water chemistry?

First shot in the dark. Goiter. I would guess lack of iodine. They can come on very quickly. I would bet your feeding all frozen foods that are being thawed. That process can be taxing on the foods quality. Offsetting it with a supplement is your best bet. Also, look at feeding things in shells (Krill, shrimp, clam, muscle etc...).
 
Thank you Zoodiver, RoastReef and Deano1956!
OK - the ray is a California Round Stingray - sometimes I've heard it called 'Orb Ray' - I suppose 'round like the sun or something..??".
Sorry - 'perfect' isn't very informative: here's the specs:
salinity 1.025
pH 8.1
ORP 281
Nitrite 0.10
Nitrate 5.0
Ammonia 0
Phosphate 3.0

Nitrite a bit high - but reading taken just after feeding and pH could be better.
You are 100% correct on the feeding. For the last month we haven't fed any krill and diet is solely mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, silversides and sand eels.
So, we will supplement and change the diet for now to mostly shellfish.
Any recommendations for supplements? What would you recommend as the best course to get rid of the goiter ASAP as it is interferring with food consumption.. I will search the forums on this site now. Thanks again for quick response all!
 
After reading thru several sites (saw some of RoastReef's posts) I am ordering the Mazuri Vita Zu Shark/Ray tablets. Also will try Zoecon and Selcon. I see that goiters take quite a bit of time to clear up, so we will be patient.
Thanks again for the help!
 
Water chemistry looks fine. I wouldn't worry about it at all. You mentioned ORP, are you using ozone injection?


Mazuri tabs will really do the trick for you. The shell fish will help supplement the needed iodine for you as well. The lump isn't that bad at this point, looks like you caught it right away. I wouldn't worry too much about it. With the plan you have the ray should be just fine.

Good luck, and keep us posted.
 
Yes on ozone injection: Ultrazone ozone unit connected to redsea protein skimmer.

Thanks for the great advice; on our way to pick up some fresh shellfish for these guys! will post progress and regimen as he improves (hopefully!)
 
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