ray not eating as much

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Bluebarry

Exodon
MFK Member
Jan 19, 2011
87
24
23
China
back story is i have a pretty small 12cm bd ray and hes always been eating like a champ but recently , he only takes 1 or 2 shrimps and just blows pass the other ones and he just doesn't seem as aggressive when looking for food or "leaping" on it, still decently active. All my water parameters seem fine

Ph - 7.3
nitrite -0
nitrate -0
temp - 29

No other tank mates but himself , i moved 2 other rays to a bigger tank cause they were just eating everything, No signs of white poop so i assume no internal infection,just regular brown/orange looking poop. No damage on the disk or anything. but just not really aggressive when eating. I even have all the lights off . I tried different kinds of foods as well but i would't think that is the issue since he use to take shrimp like a champ. maybe im worrying a little too much but seems skinny. any opinions would be great!

thanks guys
 
according to API nitrate test kit , its 0 but then thats just what i see ( bright yellow) , ammonia is at 0 also.
 
Be sure to follow the directions carefully on the nitrate test. There are solids in test bottle #2. You need to shake the hell out of it for at least 30 seconds. I actually bang it against my hand while shaking it to be sure it gets mixed properly. If you don't get it mixed well it gives a false low reading. Unfortunately if this is what is happening you'll need to replace the test bottle because the ratio of ingredients will be off and give you high readings. I doubt high nitrates are causing your troubles, but it is possible. If you eliminate water quality as the issue, other stressers may be the cause. If all else fails try bumping temp up to 30c.
 
cool i'll try testing it again and shaking it, i never really shake it , didn't know that was necessary lol and if not i'll put up the temp a bit, thanks so much for the advice guys
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bigfishnut
No problem. Keep us updated. Always good to see what the outcome of these threads end up being. Too many threads just end with no outcome. Makes it tough on people who are using this site for research/information. Thanks!
 
little update so i checked the nitrate again and indeed there was smth , never thought of shaking the bottle so lesson learned there, did a 25% wc and up the temp to 30c and then i turned down the speed on my power head. Not sure if that was a cause of anything but turned it down anyways, any opinion on strengths on power heads btw? and now he seems to be eating more since i first started to post! so yeah lol very helpful advice guys, really appreciate it!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bigfishnut
MonsterFishKeepers.com