Ray health

[loafereowc5]

I have had my sting ray for about a month now, have been feeding 2-3 times daily, and changing water as needed. I am worried about him though, as his skin pigment has become significantly lighter, his stinger is frayed, and he is becoming inactive. Are these known symptoms of any health concerns?
Thanks guys

 

[keepinfish]

need more info, tank size and tankmates, kind of ray...have you tested the water?

 

[loafereowc5]

Ya sorry. Its in a 40 gallon tank right now with two danios that really keep to themselves. The pH is as 7, and the water temp is at 80. we took out the gravel base and put in some freshwater sand about a week and a half ago, and have been feeding him shrimp and blood worms 2-3 times a day.
Thanks

 

[FishDog]

You need to post ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Sounds like the water quality is not so good. With the small amount of water and the 2-3 feeding times I bet you water is not so good. When I have my rays in there QT tank which is 30 gallons I have to really watch their feedings because even at 0nce a day the ammonia has a small spike in it. What is your filtration setup? I was having to do a 50% daily water change with two 4 inch rays and ended up killing my filter bacteria which caused the tank to recycle. I had to pull them out and put them in the main tank to keep from harming them.

 

[stingrayJK]

You need to post ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Sounds like the water quality is not so good. With the small amount of water and the 2-3 feeding times I bet you water is not so good. When I have my rays in there QT tank which is 30 gallons I have to really watch their feedings because even at 0nce a day the ammonia has a small spike in it. What is your filtration setup? I was having to do a 50% daily water change with two 4 inch rays and ended up killing my filter bacteria which caused the tank to recycle. I had to pull them out and put them in the main tank to keep from harming them.

I agree also what kind of sand did you place because if there is Silica in it the ray is breathing it in and ripping its gills apart. besides all that the ray may a wild import and your ph maybe effecting him/her water. Your water temp seem kinda cool bump it up to 82f .

also post a pic so we can id the ray for you...also get us some belly shots please I want to see the color.......
Good luck

Jason

 

[Arapaimaman]

De-worm with meds ? Just a idea.

 

[abortedsoul]

Prazi for sure, when everything stabilizes.

I don't mean to add an extra problem here, but your tank is way too small for rays. Any ray, I would say min would be 100 gallons, and if I did put stingrays in that it would keep me up at night. Even small rays need a good footprint and a HUGE amount of water volume; I would go 180 if you had to stay smaller, but if you can't do that get as close as you can. ~250 would be better... depends on the type of ray.

I would do significant (conditioned) water changes and move them to a bigger tank. Good subsrate, good tankmates and a healthy feeding schedule should give you a much better chance at having your little ones pull through.

Hope I was helpful,
-Matt

 

[loafereowc5]

we believe that the ammonia levels are correct and have been keeping up on our water changes. He has shed his frayed stinger but is still quite inactive. Hes been moving around periodically throughout the day, but nothing close to his original playfulness. He moves across the bottom but has stopped climbing the walls and floating in the bubbles completely. Is this a reasonable concern and if so what can we do to solve the problem.

 

[Nic]

well believing they are ok and the levels actually being ok are 2 different things... how many water changes and what percent do you do... seems like your water Q is not goodd...