Male ray not feeding

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fizz08

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 22, 2008
50
0
0
UK
Hi Guys

My male Orbignyi ray seems to have stopped feeding for the last 2 days. It seems to have started hovering just below the water service and also stay over the bubbles (while floating or on the sand) most of the time. This may have been caused by PH issues i've encountered recently (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154096) but not sure what is wrong & if I should be worried. I've also noticed both the female and male are slightly pale (not sure if this is just my imagination). The edges of the disc near the pelvic fins are slightly (only just) white. Any1 had any similar experiences and recommend a course of action? Id also appreciate it if any1 could recommend the best general medication / general tonic if its needed. Thanks in advance.
 
Sitting at the surface or on the bubble is not a good sign.. It means they are not getting enough oxygen.

Did you check your ammonia levels during your pH increase? The increase in pH could have increased ammonia toxicity if it was present.. This could cause permanent damage to the gills..

The increase in pH would not have any other major effects though.. the ray might go on a small hunger strike during the shift, but not float on the surface like that..

Check your water quality, make sure there is 0 ammonia/nitrite. Check your temp, make sure its not too high as higher temps hold less o2. Make sure you have enough oxygen and turnover rate.. a simple bubble stone won't cut it, especially at high temps. You need alot of surface agitation for good gas exchange.. might use some aquarium salt to give a boost in electrolytes and help out that osmosis system and gill function.
 
Thnx for the reply Miles, theres definitely no ammonia or nitrite as been checking that daily. Currently got a long airstone with a rena 400 pump so blowing quite a bit of bubbles, u think i should get another stone in there?
 
temp is 27.5-28 celcius. Howmuch salt would you recommend for a 350ltr tank and do I just mix it with some tank water and pour it in? Thnx again
 
Well whats your temp at ? If its above 85, you probably need more surface agitation..

The bubbles themselves dont create oxygen, its the gas exchange at the surface.. air stones aren't nearly as effective for o2 as a powerhead pointed at the surface.. and/or an outlet of a canister filter above the water surface area..


Almost any time a ray is floating at the top like that, its water quality of o2..
Gr8KarmaSF has a thread around here somewhere with that issue..
http://www.stingraysource.com/StingraySource/dreamline/floating.htm
 
as for salt I am not very scientific nor am I a pro at the metric system..

I just dump a handful in a pitcher, pre-mix it, and slowly pour it in.. remove through water changes.

Some measurements I hear are like a tablespoon per 5 gallons.. and Mike does like a pound per 100g?..
 
1 pound per 100 gallons for tonic treatment....more hardcore treatment goes 3 pounds per 100 gallons....
 
Would a spray bar connected to an external cannister filter be any good if placed above the water surface?
 
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