my 8" and smaller freshwater rays are biting the ends of each others tails

[Onyx4476]

I have 5 small rays in a 450 gallon tank. the water is testing good, i do 50% water changes 2 times per week. i feed them until they are full 4 days a week, skipping 3 days due to my tank only being a few months old and im still building up my bio. the 2 smallest rays have the ends of their tails bitten off. i have no idea who is doing it. i put a camera on the tank so i can watch, but i have seen nothing. is this normal behavior? its causing stress and anxiety for me and this is supposed to be relaxing.

 

[Onyx4476]

here are pics

 

[kno4te]

Think ray aggression from the larger rays since you mentioned you have 2 smaller rays. If you’re able to separate then do so. Clean water and a good appetite is enough to heal that tail.

 

[Onyx4476]

ok by bigger i mean 6” compared to 8” i will separate the small ones and let them heal up. thank you

 

[spotfin]

A non-ray fish could also be suspect. I see a silver dollar and severum in there. Any other tankmates?

 

[Onyx4476]

there were some clown ghost knifes, but i got them out. they were also a suspect. I have the rays separated now and am treating with melafix. i have a camera on the tank, and never seen any aggressive behavior. one time i saw the ghost knife nip, and i took them right out.

 

[Onyx4476]

here is all of them. i never see any fighting or fin nipping

 

[Onyx4476]

update: after separating the 2 smallest ones, and treating with melafix for 1 week, both of their tails are healing up nicely.

 

[tlindsey]

update: after separating the 2 smallest ones, and treating with melafix for 1 week, both of their tails are healing up nicely.

Great update.