Retic not doing well. Help please.

[rallysman]

Our female ray isnt doing well. She's curling

She has been eating, but not enough to keep her fat. I have a male retic in the same tank that is very fat and healthy. The nitrates are less than 20ppm ammonia and nitrites are 0.
We're doing a large water change, but is there anything else that I can do?
She's been with us for a few weeks and was doing well, but today she took a turn for the worst. Every other fish in the tank is fine, and she ate a few bloodworms this morning (acted and looked fine too, just a little skinny). I got some blackworms, put them in with her and she wont touch them.

What should I try? Thanks in advance.

 

[jim barry]

Sorry mate but it does not look good. From what i have read there is not a lot you can do to reverse the curl. Although i am no expert. Maybe try raising the temp and add some salt ?

 

[hollywood69]

that is some serious fin curl, surfs up! and fast, from the sounds of it she may have a parasite, but for now change water and add non iodized salt. but my magic balls reads outlook not so good.
we've all lost one and when they eat and you don't see weight gain, that means parasite. davidw explained a treatment in another post, but your case may be late

 

[rallysman]

well, after the water change it's swimming and not curling

I guess I'll wait and see what happens, and in the meantime read more of davids posts.

Keep the advice coming, and thanks for the help.

 

[ewurm]

that is some serious fin curl, surfs up! and fast, from the sounds of it she may have a parasite, but for now change water and add non iodized salt. but my magic balls reads outlook not so good.
we've all lost one and when they eat and you don't see weight gain, that means parasite. davidw explained a treatment in another post, but your case may be late

My first thought was parasite also. Not because I know rays but because of teh fast onset of teh symptoms. I would look into cures for parasites in these fish. Check your LFS for Lifeguard. If it is not too far advanced, this should do it.

 

[JD_MAN]

How was she looking this morning? Any better?

 

[rallysman]

I dont think she's going to make it.

 

[rumblesushi]

Sorry to hear rallys, what do you think the problem is? I know you take very good care of your tanks, so it's not gonna be an ammonia spike, or bad water, and you have another ray in there that's fine

POssible parasite?

 

[Deathcurl]

Was there a fluctuation in your tank pH?

Small retics in general are very susceptible to water conditions. With them, even the nitrates can be an issue.

The only way, I've ever reversed death curl is to use a product called Binox from Jungle Labs. It's basically nitrofurazone and salt. Whenever I had a ray come in, or show signs of curling, I would put it in a hospital tank and dose them and they'd snap out of it in a couple of days. I've never done it with rays with advanced curl, but it may be worth a shot. Super clean water conditions in the hospital tank were a must as well.

 

[rallysman]

well, I've got a tank ready to go for when I get home. I hope it's still with me when I get there.

There havent been any fluctuations in parameters, and the other ray seems to be thriving. It's fat as can be and looks perfect. (as do the other fish in that tank: ray, black aro, tig, pleco, and synondontus)

The other ray ate as much as the fat one, but never gained weight. I'm leaning to the side of parasites.

Thanks for all of the help (and confidence rumble). I'll keep you updated.