My Ray Appears Very Sick - Please Help

[rvrrays]

Don't get freaked out by all of the advice coming at you. You should have done it up front but, you didn't and now you have rays. The learning curve will be quick but it is very manageable.

1. Rays do not get along well with aggressive tankmates. Toothy critters, some large cichlids and plecos are common problem tank mates.

2. Make sure your heater is in your sump. Rays can get burned easily on exposed heaters.

3. Do your water changes frequently and religously. The frequency and size depends on tank size, filtration, etc. A common guideline is 50% at leas once per week. Two or three times per week would not hurt.

4. Feed them lots of good foods daily. Great options are earthwroms, market shrimp, smelt, fish filets, live crayfish, etc.

Go back and read a bunch of the old posts in the stingray section of this forum.

You and your rays will be fine. Eating is a very good sign.

By the way, adding some aquarium salt at the recommended dosage will not hurt your other fish.

I would be more than happy to answe any specific questions. PM me if interested.

Colin

 

[nick h]

78" x 32" x 30"

Brad

 

[dr_sudz]

Good sized tank it actually works out to 325 gallons. At the very least who ever sold you your system did know what you would need! You should see if you can get pics posted!

 

[nick h]

yeah this is the pro who doesnt know jack apparently. i was the one who set brad up with the tank and i do know very much about alot of fresh and marine fishes. this is the first ray tank i set up for anyone and i must admit it is a learning experience. i have read much about the care of FW rays and i appreciate the help of all you guys.
here we go (current parameters):
nitrate around 20 ppm
nitrite 0 ppm
ammonia 0 ppm
ph 7.8 ppm
phosphate 0.00 ppm
temperature 82 f
filtration is a large wet/dry housing about 10 gallons of med bioballs. twin external pumps, powerheads for water movement and about 2 inches of fine grade red flint substrate. Carbon and p04 sponge are changed regularly.
tank is a large 300 us gallon acrylic tank predrilled. the pumps turn over about 1000 gph.
im doing a 60 to 70% h2o change right now, and i'll continue to do at least a 25% per week from now on. any further ray specific advice would be great guys.
thanks, nick

 

[Deathcurl]

Don't get freaked out by all of the advice coming at you. You should have done it up front but, you didn't and now you have rays. The learning curve will be quick but it is very manageable.

1. Rays do not get along well with aggressive tankmates. Toothy critters, some large cichlids and plecos are common problem tank mates.

2. Make sure your heater is in your sump. Rays can get burned easily on exposed heaters.

3. Do your water changes frequently and religously. The frequency and size depends on tank size, filtration, etc. A common guideline is 50% at leas once per week. Two or three times per week would not hurt.

4. Feed them lots of good foods daily. Great options are earthwroms, market shrimp, smelt, fish filets, live crayfish, etc.

Go back and read a bunch of the old posts in the stingray section of this forum.

You and your rays will be fine. Eating is a very good sign.

By the way, adding some aquarium salt at the recommended dosage will not hurt your other fish.

I would be more than happy to answe any specific questions. PM me if interested.

Colin

Well said!