dr_sudz;516583; said:
Problem with blackworms around here is finding them. I cant justify a large online order yet, but I may just bite the bullet and go for it.
I dont want to spend a ton on blackworms that the ray wont eat though lol
reticulated ray aka teacup
- Thread starter focker
- Start date
Problem with blackworms around here is finding them. I cant justify a large online order yet, but I may just bite the bullet and go for it.
I dont want to spend a ton on blackworms that the ray wont eat though lol
Ya that is rough not haveing them available, I can get them here at the Big Al's. they are pretty cheap, I know the rays that they have eat them. But I suppose you can't say that about all rays do to the fact we have 3 rays all being picky on one thing or another!
I agree with rallysman about more frequent water changes. Aquaclears are decent filters for normal fish, however, it seems like you have some heavy hitters there. It also depends on what filter media you're using in those Aquaclears.
Just as an example, I have 2 Aquaclear 500's (now called 110's) plus a wet/dry filter that I built out of a 29 gallon tank (has a large chamber for bio balls and a chamber for lava rock), with a pump and overflow rated at 1200 gph all on my 125 gallon tank. IMO, you can never have too much filtration. With this setup, I'm doing water changes every 2 weeks or so. I use the Aquaclears only to pick up excess tank junk. In large setups, it seems that is the only task that they are beneficial for.
I would look into more efficient filtration, whether it be canisters or a wet/dry to supplement those Aquaclears in the near future. There have been a few occasions where I've come home to find them stalled, so be careful.
Keep us posted.
Just as an example, I have 2 Aquaclear 500's (now called 110's) plus a wet/dry filter that I built out of a 29 gallon tank (has a large chamber for bio balls and a chamber for lava rock), with a pump and overflow rated at 1200 gph all on my 125 gallon tank. IMO, you can never have too much filtration. With this setup, I'm doing water changes every 2 weeks or so. I use the Aquaclears only to pick up excess tank junk. In large setups, it seems that is the only task that they are beneficial for.
I would look into more efficient filtration, whether it be canisters or a wet/dry to supplement those Aquaclears in the near future. There have been a few occasions where I've come home to find them stalled, so be careful.
Keep us posted.
Best thing for small retics I have found is live black worms. I have never found a or heard of a ray that wont eat live black worms. They will put so much weight on with them.
Also one thing I have found retics to like better than other rays is squid. I haven't tried it on my new retics, but my old one loved it. I bought the hikari squid, and it comes in cubes, with all the essenscial vitamins.
If you want to get your retics on other food, crush up their favorite food, and marinate the new food you want them on in it.
For you Focker I would either step up the WC's every 3 or 4 days, or you might want to invest in a large canister filter for the best results. You want to have the best water quality possible.
Levi, I wouldn't hesitate one bit to order blackworms. If the ray is by herself, just put an ounce or so in there, and since they are alive, they won't die, and she can graze all day on them, and put some weight on. I put about 3 ounces in for my 3 retics and they will graze on that for 3 or 4 days and keep thier wieght on.
Also one thing I have found retics to like better than other rays is squid. I haven't tried it on my new retics, but my old one loved it. I bought the hikari squid, and it comes in cubes, with all the essenscial vitamins.
If you want to get your retics on other food, crush up their favorite food, and marinate the new food you want them on in it.
For you Focker I would either step up the WC's every 3 or 4 days, or you might want to invest in a large canister filter for the best results. You want to have the best water quality possible.
Levi, I wouldn't hesitate one bit to order blackworms. If the ray is by herself, just put an ounce or so in there, and since they are alive, they won't die, and she can graze all day on them, and put some weight on. I put about 3 ounces in for my 3 retics and they will graze on that for 3 or 4 days and keep thier wieght on.
Honda12;516622; said:
I just moved the cichlids that were in with her out because they were eating her food, but she's still in with the black aro, tig, a synondontus, and a pleco (that keeps to itself and eats sinking pellets)
I'll definately try to get some blackworms
With the black worms tho don't they require cold water and lots of circulation? or is that just for keeping them for long periods of time?
dr_sudz;516635; said:
That just to keep them for a long peroid of time. You don't feed them when you have them, so you keep them in the fridge so they kind of go in a semi hybernation. Then you rinse there water everyday. I have my tank at 82*F and the worms last quite a while in my tank, and the rays just eat when they want.
Rallysman, have you tried chopping up the earthworms in SMALL (LoL I guess it was kind of oxymoronic to put small in all caps) pieces? When I had my retic I got him to eat anything from worms to shrimp and squid. Before he would eat large pieces he would only take tiny pieces first. YOu should give it a try and marinate the small pieces in BLW juice.
Focker, with that many and species of fish and as little filtration as you have I think you are in a world of trouble as time moves on!
Focker, with that many and species of fish and as little filtration as you have I think you are in a world of trouble as time moves on!
