Sand - Energy Expense and Metabolism?

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Miles

Miles

Stingray King
MFK Member
Jul 2, 2005
5,547
162
120
Spokane, WA
I noticed that my smallest juvie retic ray spends alot of time sifting through the sand for black worms. I am wondering if the presence of the sand is making him increase him metabolism and burn alot of precious fat cells that could be preserved..

Discuss?

Do you think the stress relief is worth this?
 
I think sand is definitely good for a ray....., they seem to really like it...
just need to keep it clean....
 
I just prefer bare bottom and keep it really easy simple and clean
 
I thinned out the layer of sand the other day, and it seems to be staying alot cleaner this way.. Also the black worm can't burrow themselves completely now.
 
Sand is only necessary for small pups and new borns ray it gives them a place to hide and there much less stressfull. For rays larger then 8" it's not needed at all.
 
They do it in nature, so it's only natural for them to do so.
...I guess...:)
 
I was just thinking that if they were on barebottom, they wouldn't burn so much energy hunting for food.

However, they are quite juvenile (3-4") and the smallest one buries itself everytime I move around the fish room alot.. So hopefully it is good stress relief.

I think I am going to give them a Prazi bath this weekend.. The wholesaler said they treated them, but this guy has had a full belly for a week and hasn't been putting on weight like the other 2..
 
You can go either way at any size.

I don't know if it has a dramatic effect on growth.

I'm willing to bet the one that hides from you is a male.

AJ :)
 
The male has been in captivity a lil longer than the other 2, and is eating prepared foods already.. He is always active, but I think it's because he also had a longer QT period..

The female that hides is the smallest ray, with a snubbed tail from shipping.. It was the only skinny ray I received, but she is bouncing back and more active every day. Looks like all 3 took pellets today..

I just thinned out the sand and their is some barebottom spots, they seem to enjoy feeding from..
 
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