Ray problems

[Tug]

One of my females hasn't been as active as she usually is and last night I noticed her forehead is sunk in. What is this and what does it mean? She has been eatting but after feedings she just slumps back to the dark side of the tank and stays there. I'm really concerned for her and I hope there is something I can do to help her.

Please help ASAP

Thanks

 

[Nic]

she needs food try pumping her with blackworms or earthworms....

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Could she have injured herself on some tank decor?

Can you provide a picture?

Good sign is that she is eating!

 

[csx4236]

If the forhead is sunk in chances are she stopped eating a few weeks ago. Try raise temp do a water change and feed something else.

 

[Tug]

What temp. would you recommend for something like this. The tank is steady at 82 degrees. I'm heading out the door right now to pick up some earthworms. She barely touched the krill or silversides tonight.

Honestly I thought she was eatting. Every time I drop food in the tank she jumps on it, maybe she just hasn't been swallowing it.Chewing on it maybe?

I've been doing 60% water changes daily for the last 6 months. I installed an automatic water change system on their tank and it adds 75 gals. of new water daily. I don't see the water being a problem. I will check the levels again tonight just to make sure though.

Thanks guys I really appreciate the help. Feel free to add more comments if you think of something else I can try.

 

[csx4236]

What temp. would you recommend for something like this. The tank is steady at 82 degrees. I'm heading out the door right now to pick up some earthworms. She barely touched the krill or silversides tonight.

Honestly I thought she was eatting. Every time I drop food in the tank she jumps on it, maybe she just hasn't been swallowing it.Chewing on it maybe?

I've been doing 60% water changes daily for the last 6 months. I installed an automatic water change system on their tank and it adds 75 gals. of new water daily. I don't see the water being a problem. I will check the levels again tonight just to make sure though.

Thanks guys I really appreciate the help. Feel free to add more comments if you think of something else I can try.

Raise the temp to 86-88. Are you using some kind of dechlorinator as you do these water changes and what size is your tank how many gallons? More then likely she has just be chewing the food and not swallowing it. Add some salt it can only help. I think you might be doing to much water changes and there could be something building up.

 

[Tug]

I haven't used any dechlorinator in my tanks for 2 years. We live in a very small town and there is very little chemical used in our water, I know, I've done alot of work at our treatment plant and they told me it's nothing like big city water. Of course they didn't word it like that but you get the idea. It's never affected my fish, I've had these rays for a year with no problems.

I've always wondered about my water changes. I just thought the cleaner the tank the happier the rays. I've never tested a spike of any kind.

I'm doing some tests right now just to make sure. I'll raise the temp. at the same time.

I just feed about 7 earthworms and again it looked like she was just chewing it. I'm confused.

What is the salt mix I should try? How much? Could you tell me how the salt will help? I know that sounds nieve but I've never added anything to their tank and honestly it freaks me out a bit.

They are growing in a 125 gal. until they get some size then they are getting moved into a 300 gal. I have 3 rays total.

 

[csx4236]

I haven't used any dechlorinator in my tanks for 2 years. We live in a very small town and there is very little chemical used in our water, I know, I've done alot of work at our treatment plant and they told me it's nothing like big city water. Of course they didn't word it like that but you get the idea. It's never affected my fish, I've had these rays for a year with no problems.

I've always wondered about my water changes. I just thought the cleaner the tank the happier the rays. I've never tested a spike of any kind.

I'm doing some tests right now just to make sure. I'll raise the temp. at the same time.

I just feed about 7 earthworms and again it looked like she was just chewing it. I'm confused.

What is the salt mix I should try? How much? Could you tell me how the salt will help? I know that sounds nieve but I've never added anything to their tank and honestly it freaks me out a bit.

They are growing in a 125 gal. until they get some size then they are getting moved into a 300 gal. I have 3 rays total.

First thing is you HAVE TO USE DECHLORINATOR they add chlorine or chloramine to your water no matter what town you live in. Thats your problem I had it happen to me over the summer my local water district started using 10x the normal amount of chlorine during a heat wave to kill off bacteria and all my rays stopped eating. First thing you need to do is stop the water changes right now your doing way to much and not dechlorinating the water. Go buy some prime or another dechlor and put it in ASAP and always use it, IT'S A MUST. If you have any carbon you can place that in the tank ASAP and it will remove anything bad from your tap water. Salt will help the ray relax and decrease stress. But I cant stress this enough you must use dechlorinator if your doing that much water changes.

 

[Miles]

Salt, and Heat.. less water changes, use a water conditioner.. Even if their is little to no chlorine in your water source, it could still be an issue.. I don't have chlorine in my tap water either, and I seldom use water conditioner on the usual fish, but always for the rays.. Keep in mind 'Water Conditioners' also do other things like detoxify heavy metals and such.. I enjoy Prime and NovAqua both for different purposes...

The dent in the forehead, is it between the eyes or in front of the eyes?.. Rays have a fatty reserve in both their tail and the indention between their eyes.. If it starts to concave like this, it's usually a sign of malnutrition.. Make sure it is eating LARGE meals regularly, hopefully nutritional ones like worms.. Try to make sure she has a 'puffed' rear end after each meal. Might think about a pre-cautionary treatment of internal parasites with PraziPro ~ Maybe inject them into the worms?.. internal parasites can steal the nutrition from the ray, causing this 'emaciated' effect even though they might be healthy, active, and eating..

Also, I have seen a few rays do this 'chew and not eat' deal.. it seems as if they might have an injury or the food might not be the right size.. Try chopped foods or smaller foods. Find something that she will for sure gorge herself on, and feed that non-stop for a long while..

 

[turkeyboy85]

also, with doing 60% water changes you are not allowing enough bacteria to stay in ur water, so i agree, cut down on the water... is urs bear bottem or do u have substraite....