New Hystrix pup won't eat
- Thread starter Jamie91
- Start date
No need to apologise mate, you won't get a grilling from most people on here. Just enthusiastic advise.
First and foremost it's great news you've 'seen' it eating.
Now add to the facts,
You know it's wild caught therefore = stress
You've had it shipped = stress
Again, the plus is you've seen it feed and know what it ate.
Before treating for intestinal parasites, I'm probably wrong, but I would suggest hold fire for a few days. Keep lights off. Make sure you have plenty of O2 in the water, more the merrier. Stressed fish will huff and puff more and rays like plenty of O2 to boot, even on a good day.
Hopefully you've got sand substrate. IMO for what it's worth, wild rays really will settle quicker with some sand they can get in. They have no concept of a bare bottom environment and some sand has to help them feel secure after being caught from the river, on top of the stress they've endured.
Offer worms several times a day, little and often. Rays have a high metabolism and pups especially need to feed regularly.
It's very early days. I've moved my Hystrix from one tank to another in the past, when I had them, and the rays took several days at least to show any signs of feeding. Give the pup time. Avoid having any agressive tank mates, especially those who could compete for food.
The most important think prior to anything else really is getting it to feed again. Once you've obtained that, treat for parasites without fail.
Good luck and keep updating
First and foremost it's great news you've 'seen' it eating.
Now add to the facts,
You know it's wild caught therefore = stress
You've had it shipped = stress
Again, the plus is you've seen it feed and know what it ate.
Before treating for intestinal parasites, I'm probably wrong, but I would suggest hold fire for a few days. Keep lights off. Make sure you have plenty of O2 in the water, more the merrier. Stressed fish will huff and puff more and rays like plenty of O2 to boot, even on a good day.
Hopefully you've got sand substrate. IMO for what it's worth, wild rays really will settle quicker with some sand they can get in. They have no concept of a bare bottom environment and some sand has to help them feel secure after being caught from the river, on top of the stress they've endured.
Offer worms several times a day, little and often. Rays have a high metabolism and pups especially need to feed regularly.
It's very early days. I've moved my Hystrix from one tank to another in the past, when I had them, and the rays took several days at least to show any signs of feeding. Give the pup time. Avoid having any agressive tank mates, especially those who could compete for food.
The most important think prior to anything else really is getting it to feed again. Once you've obtained that, treat for parasites without fail.
Good luck and keep updating
Ahh that's good then, had enough grillings for a while...
Yeah was nice seeing it eat
Yes I know all that's stressful for the Ray
My inlet pipe to tank makes loads of bubbles and surface moves well, I have 2 air stones in there but no where nere the Ray...so keep my aquarium lights off for 2 days? Yes sand substrate, first thing he did when added to tank was bury himself...
Ok so chop worms up and try feeding to ray several times? Yeah he was only being fed once a day at shop..
Oh really your Ray's did the same? I'm just scared he will starve to death :/ best treatment for parasites? I'll attach fish list...sorry if it offends you all
Fish list
Tiger Oscar (2-3")
Hartwigi (2")
Pollini (3")
Lenny (pang) (7")
Frankie (pang) (10")
Wiggles (Bichir) (5")
Jiggles (Bichir) (2-3")
Spotted gar (5")
Arowana (10")
Black ghost knife (8")
Red head (4")
Hybrid (3-4")
JD (3")
Yeah was nice seeing it eat
Yes I know all that's stressful for the Ray
My inlet pipe to tank makes loads of bubbles and surface moves well, I have 2 air stones in there but no where nere the Ray...so keep my aquarium lights off for 2 days? Yes sand substrate, first thing he did when added to tank was bury himself...
Ok so chop worms up and try feeding to ray several times? Yeah he was only being fed once a day at shop..
Oh really your Ray's did the same? I'm just scared he will starve to death :/ best treatment for parasites? I'll attach fish list...sorry if it offends you all
Fish list
Tiger Oscar (2-3")
Hartwigi (2")
Pollini (3")
Lenny (pang) (7")
Frankie (pang) (10")
Wiggles (Bichir) (5")
Jiggles (Bichir) (2-3")
Spotted gar (5")
Arowana (10")
Black ghost knife (8")
Red head (4")
Hybrid (3-4")
JD (3")
Oh I totally understand what your going threw!
Just got 2 rays and they wouldnt eat either! It freaks you out BIG TIME! but after a couple days they are starting to show interest.
Feed chopped worms in small amounts a couple times a day and remove any uneaten bits after a couple hours.
I turn my lights off.
i did add a little salt to the water (half the recommended dose)
I also added, half the recommended dose, of iodine. just incase they scratch them selves at night.
Make sure the temp is around 78 degrees
Check PH and Nitrates. Mine is 7.6 and Nitrates 20ppm, the tank i grow my rays out in is a 125 gallon so i have done a 5 gallon water change everyday to keep nitrates low while they adjust.
Good luck my friend! We are all pulling for you!
Just got 2 rays and they wouldnt eat either! It freaks you out BIG TIME! but after a couple days they are starting to show interest.
Feed chopped worms in small amounts a couple times a day and remove any uneaten bits after a couple hours.
I turn my lights off.
i did add a little salt to the water (half the recommended dose)
I also added, half the recommended dose, of iodine. just incase they scratch them selves at night.
Make sure the temp is around 78 degrees
Check PH and Nitrates. Mine is 7.6 and Nitrates 20ppm, the tank i grow my rays out in is a 125 gallon so i have done a 5 gallon water change everyday to keep nitrates low while they adjust.
Good luck my friend! We are all pulling for you!
Yes all fish in one tank, as all babies and obviously upgrading when the time comes...it's a 5ft by 2.3ft by 2ft
Well as long as he starts showing interested aha I'm worrying like no mans business...yeah someone else said chopped up worms, well I'm not turning lights on today and will try
Well there's nothin in the tank for him to scratch himself on...
Tanks at 27degrees
Thank you for your advice, I will check everything later this morning..
I'll post a pic when I get home..no I don't see any bones as off yet so all must be ok for now
The hybrid is a cichlid no one can't Id :/ I've had the hystrix nearly 48hrs...no none of my fish bother the Ray
Well as long as he starts showing interested aha I'm worrying like no mans business...yeah someone else said chopped up worms, well I'm not turning lights on today and will try
Well there's nothin in the tank for him to scratch himself on...
Tanks at 27degrees
Thank you for your advice, I will check everything later this morning..
I'll post a pic when I get home..no I don't see any bones as off yet so all must be ok for now
The hybrid is a cichlid no one can't Id :/ I've had the hystrix nearly 48hrs...no none of my fish bother the Ray
