Skinny ray

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ECarbonel

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Sep 26, 2007
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i have a question about feeding your rays? how often do you guys feed your rays. i feed mine twice a day and i still cant seem to get them to fatten up all there hip bones are sticking out an i just dont understand. they mostly eat black worms and shrimp starting to take pellets on occasion. can anyone help me on how to fatten these girls up.
 
Wild caught?
 
Blackworms are a great way to fatten a new ray up.
Rays constantly forage in the wild and have high metabolisms.
I feed my rays 3-4 small feeding through the day.
Nightcrawlers are also good for putting a little weight on small rays.

A well fed ray does not need to be bulging at the hips.
A nice smooth taper down to the tail is ideal. A small rise is ok as well.
Just as long as they don't look like J-Lo 24/7
 
depends how big the ray is, i feed mine earthworms and market shrimp. they are all thick and healthy. i know a whole sheet of bloodworms work well too.

BTW i feed them twice a day.
 
pups are good to feed 2-3 times a day, if they are big enough... feed earthworms and market shrimp, no ghost shrimp... and blackworms doesnt have enough substance....
those are good to get them eating but once they start eating wean them onto foods that are more nutriutious
 
turkeyboy85;3192247; said:
pups are good to feed 2-3 times a day, if they are big enough... feed earthworms and market shrimp, no ghost shrimp... and blackworms doesnt have enough substance....
those are good to get them eating but once they start eating wean them onto foods that are more nutriutious

Remember, he is dealing with a skinny ray and the priority is to put some weight on it asap. He can always wean it on to other foods later.

I must agree earthworms are great for putting weight on to a ray.
(Not to mention readily excepted.)

Blackworms are also teeming with nutrition, and are very high in protein.
If they are raised correctly and kept clean, they are a safe and nutritious treat that can be added to a rays diet for variety.




Just remember with any food not to feed too much of one thing.
Everything in moderation. Nothing in excess.
Too much protein can give a ray organ damage.

Also, for a small ray ghost shrimp can be gut-loaded all sorts of nutritious goodies. Veggie waffers and pellets that you can wean rays on to as they get bigger. Then of course you can swap out the Ghost shrimp for crawdads for a much more sustainable food source. :)
 
Your rays might have internal parasites. Try treating it, that might be the reason that your rays is not putting on weight. Metronidazole is a good medication but it is pricey. The jungle brand works but it takes a large amount if you have a big tank.
 
i love how things i say turn into expert advice from others who would have never known a thing.......


do a dose of prazi..... then feed earthworms and shrimps.... ditch the parasite ridden black worms they suck and are pointless and up your feedings to 3/4 a day maybe 5........
 
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