Male stabbed in spiracle

[Jez1992]

Two of my Rays mated couple weeks back and male was going hard at female. She is a bit ripped up so separated the male from her.

however in all the focus on her, I missed that the sheath from her barb was missing and that the male has a stab wound through one of the flaps in his spiracles.

He seems okay and is still eating, albeit a bit lethargic (maybe due to being separated)

Any warnings signs I should look out for in case it takes a turn for the worse. And if it does, anything I can do to help him.

Fingers crossed

 

[Dieselhybrid]

Barb stabs are frustrating. I've seen deep ones that bleed a good deal heal up with no problem at all. Then I've seen some that seemed superficial be fatal. Respected keeper Jim Barry lost a gorgeous male years back from a barb stab on a defensive female ray.

I use tin snips and clip the barbs down on my tail-happy females and female breeders just to be safe. You can consider this moving forward, just be careful and don't injure yourself. Also don't cut the barb too low, I've seen them react like a dog or cat when you cut their nail down to the hyponychium or "quick." Dr. Ross says in his book that cutting too low can lead to infection, so cut just below the area where the serrated edges stop.

Not a whole lot you can do because of the sensitive area of the injury, their venom does not cause the same necrosis and infection within their own genus. I would keep the water super clean and try to keep him eating. If it were away from the spiracle maybe some Methylene blue swabs if it looked infected but I bet it will close up very quickly. Time, clean water, and lots of food help with nearly everything in the stingray world. Just pray it didn't pierce something too important, but if it did I think you would be seeing a rapid decline.

 

[Jez1992]

Barb stabs are frustrating. I've seen deep ones that bleed a good deal heal up with no problem at all. Then I've seen some that seemed superficial be fatal. Respected keeper Jim Barry lost a gorgeous male years back from a barb stab on a defensive female ray.

I use tin snips and clip the barbs down on my tail-happy females and female breeders just to be safe. You can consider this moving forward, just be careful and don't injure yourself. Also don't cut the barb too low, I've seen them react like a dog or cat when you cut their nail down to the hyponychium or "quick." Dr. Ross says in his book that cutting too low can lead to infection, so cut just below the area where the serrated edges stop.

Not a whole lot you can do because of the sensitive area of the injury, their venom does not cause the same necrosis and infection within their own genus. I would keep the water super clean and try to keep him eating. If it were away from the spiracle maybe some Methylene blue swabs if it looked infected but I bet it will close up very quickly. Time, clean water, and lots of food help with nearly everything in the stingray world. Just pray it didn't pierce something too important, but if it did I think you would be seeing a rapid decline.

Thanks diesel! Yeah I have cranked up the drip on that tank already for the female and she is healing nicely.

It must have been around a week or so ago so yeah hopefully if something bad where to happen I'd have seen it. I've read jim's thread before and can't see any of the symptoms he had so fingers crossed. Also from where the sheath is away, it doesn't appear to have gone to deep, but never know I guess.

I always planned to snip females barbs when at breeding ages, but this completely took me by surprise I had no idea she was old enough, but once I've found out if she's pregnant and she had her pups, then I'll trim it for next time. I'll keep them separated til she does so no need to stress her unnecessarily.

 

[Dieselhybrid]

You are welcome.

If it's been a week my only main concern would be secondary infection. The wound should have closed by now, and should be a little, white slit or back to base color. How is it healing?

Watch for necrosis (black slime and disc rot) or white fuzz as it heals.

 

[KNH]

My male marble has several scars on his belly from gaping wounds caused by a female defending herself. As long as a vital organ hasn't been damaged they heal amazingly fast and act like nothing has happened.

 

[Jez1992]

You are welcome.

If it's been a week my only main concern would be secondary infection. The wound should have closed by now, and should be a little, white slit or back to base color. How is it healing?

Watch for necrosis (black slime and disc rot) or white fuzz as it heals.

I have turned up drip even more to keep fresh water turning over.

it looks like a neat slit although is open slightly and inside it looks fleshly. Pale pink. The slit is very need and white edges, no fuzz or muck, and the flesh is very pale with no muck or blood etc.

have tried to take a pic but impossible to to rays moving md spiracles moving constantly too! Lol

 

[Jez1992]

My male marble has several scars on his belly from gaping wounds caused by a female defending herself. As long as a vital organ hasn't been damaged they heal amazingly fast and act like nothing has happened.

awesome you've put my mind at ease slightly.

this is my marble male, which is my first ever and therefore favourite ray so want to keep him going!