Trying out new foods

[jwong1024]

So I just came back for the grocery store and I thought I'd try some different foods for the rays. I am gonna start up a worm farm, but that is still not up and running yet. I currently feed nightcralwers and cooked market shrimp. I just picked up some frozen raw shrimp and scallops.

Before I try feeding my rays there new dinner, can someone reassure me that these frozen raw seafoods are okay for the rays. The frozen scallops are from Argentina so it is from South American waters. Although I am not sure if it is fresh or salt water.

And if you guys could please rate what you think is best to feed the rays and why? I just want to offer a slight varity of foods to the rays, so they don't get bored and try to eat one of there tankmates.

raw shrimp
cooked shrimp
nightcrawlers
red wigglers
raw scallops
raw smelts
hikari food sticks

 

[jwong1024]

Anyone? bella? tb? nic?

 

[ronin_man]

i feed mine frozen raw shrimp and i know alot of other people do too i just unthaw them in a bowl full of tank water, chop them up into smaller chunks(whole shrimp would be good for larger rays) and toss em on in.
i have heard alot of people use scallops too i just have never tryed them myself

i also vary the diet all the time as well, along with carnavore and massivore pellets

 

[Tom]

Well I am pretty sure you know how I feel about seafoods, but it sounds like you are giving them a diverse array of food.

Blackworms are an excellent source of protein, and in my opinion a good staple in a rays diet.

Nightcrawlers are great, but their origin plays a huge role in whether they will be good for your rays or not. I have heard that Nic had problems with earthworms giving his rays internal parasites. Where we are getting our worms from is reputable, and since they will be "home grown" there is little risk of parasites. Although I am not sure if Nic was breeding his own or not. I am sure he will fill us in when he sees this.

Live fish is another debatable food source, but if done right can also add a nice variable to a rays diet. Again, "Home Grown" seems to be the best way to go.
Breeding your own live-bearers, or convict cichlids is a good option.
I would stay away from goldfish and minnows of any sort being that they are absolutely riddled with parasites. Any fish you feed to your rays should always be pre-treated for internals unless you bred them yourself
(and you pre treated the parents).

On the seafood again, I know alot of other ray keepers feed it to their rays but I am totally against this. If you are going to feed sw based foods I would do it sparingly.

Also the Hikari food sticks, or any other dry food should be fed a little bit at a time. I believe there was a thread about that as well.

 

[jwong1024]

Wow Bella I knew you were passionate about ray keeping, but its on a higher level than I thought.

I will always used worms as a main diet, but I was hoping to introduce a small varity of different foods.

I know they take blackworms and bloodworms, but they will eat me poor in a month.


UPDATE: I just tried to feed the raw scallops and it was no dice. I will try again sometime this week, but the big motoro who eats everything agressively did not even offer at it. So I guess I am sticking with shrimp and worms. I will try frozen smelt next.

 

[Tom]

I have been getting my blackworms for a very decent price.
Shipped out of California, I get 5 lbs for 60 bucks after shipping.
I have a few decent sized rays and that goes pretty far for me.
If you were interested I can give you the guy's email.
The worms come in clean and fresh.

I absolutely love my rays. They mean the world to me.
Thank you for the compliment.

 

[omojena]

Well I am pretty sure you know how I feel about seafoods, but it sounds like you are giving them a diverse array of food.

Blackworms are an excellent source of protein, and in my opinion a good staple in a rays diet.

Nightcrawlers are great, but their origin plays a huge role in whether they will be good for your rays or not. I have heard that Nic had problems with earthworms giving his rays internal parasites. Where we are getting our worms from is reputable, and since they will be "home grown" there is little risk of parasites. Although I am not sure if Nic was breeding his own or not. I am sure he will fill us in when he sees this.

Live fish is another debatable food source, but if done right can also add a nice variable to a rays diet. Again, "Home Grown" seems to be the best way to go.
Breeding your own live-bearers, or convict cichlids is a good option.
I would stay away from goldfish and minnows of any sort being that they are absolutely riddled with parasites. Any fish you feed to your rays should always be pre-treated for internals unless you bred them yourself
(and you pre treated the parents).

On the seafood again, I know alot of other ray keepers feed it to their rays but I am totally against this. If you are going to feed sw based foods I would do it sparingly.

Also the Hikari food sticks, or any other dry food should be fed a little bit at a time. I believe there was a thread about that as well.

why no seafood? why pellets sparingly?

 

[Tom]

Pellets being fed sparingly meaning often, but only a little at a time.
I read in other posts that it can have a "bloat" effect once inside of a ray, much like a dog eating dry food. I believe it was David that said that.

As far as seafood goes, I try to stay as natural as I possibly can.
I feel more comfortable feeding freshwater items for many reasons.
Especially because seafood tends to be very fatty.

 

[Nic]

Well I am pretty sure you know how I feel about seafoods, but it sounds like you are giving them a diverse array of food.

Fresh water shrimps smelts silver sides are fine for rays a diet of krill and other salt water seafoods is not good for there liver

Blackworms are an excellent source of protein, and in my opinion a good staple in a rays diet.

inferrior expensive and should only be used for small rays or sic unhealthy rays to fatten them up...

Nightcrawlers are great, but their origin plays a huge role in whether they will be good for your rays or not. I have heard that Nic had problems with earthworms giving his rays internal parasites. Where we are getting our worms from is reputable, and since they will be "home grown" there is little risk of parasites. Although I am not sure if Nic was breeding his own or not. I am sure he will fill us in when he sees this.

My farmed worms are clean and clear it was the ones from walmart that gave me a bug... still i just break them to other foods to make life easy... plus i can make a better diet off prepared foods..

Live fish is another debatable food source, but if done right can also add a nice variable to a rays diet. Again, "Home Grown" seems to be the best way to go.
Breeding your own live-bearers, or convict cichlids is a good option.
I would stay away from goldfish and minnows of any sort being that they are absolutely riddled with parasites. Any fish you feed to your rays should always be pre-treated for internals unless you bred them yourself
(and you pre treated the parents).

gambusia,crawdads and your own raised minnows are fine store bought after good Q tank treatment is fine as well ... convicts any fish as long as its clean but too much of a hassle for feeding better off with prepared food..

On the seafood again, I know alot of other ray keepers feed it to their rays but I am totally against this. If you are going to feed sw based foods I would do it sparingly.

Krill is only one that should be used... and just for temp to break rays to reg shrimps...

Also the Hikari food sticks, or any other dry food should be fed a little bit at a time. I believe there was a thread about that as well.

been feeding a motoro pellets for 2.5 years now never had one problem with anything... pellets are great/perfect part of a rays diet..

 

[Tom]

I was awaiting your opinion Nic. I will take your word for it.
Just a few questions. Why are blackworms inferior?
Is is because of the cost? Or just availability of better foods?

Also I have heard about pellets causing bloat in rays. How much should be offered at one time to avoid that from happening?