Premature pups just born. Need advice.
- Thread starter fastfreddy
- Start date
I've had premature leopoldi pups make it.
Smooth bottom like you've done is the start.
Salt will be the next step. Take it up to 5-7ppt top start with. I know it's a hot topic to salt or not, but let me explain why it worked for us. Salt changes the metabolic rate (increases). Usually not something I'd do to a freshwater ray, but it helps them absorb the sac quickly in this case. The #1 reason premature ray pups die is from the sac getting necrotic on them - then they are more or less feeding poison to themselves. I've had it happen to rays and sharks born premature. (Also delt with it in croc hatchlings, but that's besides the point.)
Don't feed them right away. It also forces them to absorb the sac quicker.
Good luck.
Smooth bottom like you've done is the start.
Salt will be the next step. Take it up to 5-7ppt top start with. I know it's a hot topic to salt or not, but let me explain why it worked for us. Salt changes the metabolic rate (increases). Usually not something I'd do to a freshwater ray, but it helps them absorb the sac quickly in this case. The #1 reason premature ray pups die is from the sac getting necrotic on them - then they are more or less feeding poison to themselves. I've had it happen to rays and sharks born premature. (Also delt with it in croc hatchlings, but that's besides the point.)
Don't feed them right away. It also forces them to absorb the sac quicker.
Good luck.
