Wild Ray eating problem

[festaedan]

Defenitely put in some sand. Clean, silica free, small granuled sand will work best.She will probably spend most/all of her time burried but dont worry, she'll come out when she's comfortable. Blackworms are always my go to food when a ray doesnt eat. Always works. Make sure worms are always accessable and frequently check with a flashlight to see if she's eating them. If you see black worms missing, it doesnt mean they are eaten, black worms will burrow and even breed in the sand.I've heard gost shrimp work but i have never had any luck with them.
When my rays wouldnt eat, I would tape a towel or sheet around the tank for a day for complete darkness, then all lights off but no towel, then room lights on, then tank lights on. If the tank is in a living room just skip the step were the room lights are always off.

Good luck!

Ok thanks everyone, all really great advice, but just wondering if anyone has had a Ray that didn't eat for this long??
its just super frustrating. Would have never bought a wild if I knew it was this much of a pain in the ass. Not worth the head ache IMO. Vendor said she was eating worms but starting not to believe that

I've had wild rays go for 2 weeks without eating, you should be fine

Live ghost shrimp and live blackworms left in 24/7. Lights off and tank covered if necessary. Substrate will relax plus give a place for the blackworms to bury themselves and help the natural instinct of the ray to sift for foods ie: blackworms.

Completely agree, couldnt have said it better

 

[CANAMONSTER]

Defenitely put in some sand. Clean, silica free, small granuled sand will work best.She will probably spend most/all of her time burried but dont worry, she'll come out when she's comfortable. Blackworms are always my go to food when a ray doesnt eat. Always works. Make sure worms are always accessable and frequently check with a flashlight to see if she's eating them. If you see black worms missing, it doesnt mean they are eaten, black worms will burrow and even breed in the sand.I've heard gost shrimp work but i have never had any luck with them.
When my rays wouldnt eat, I would tape a towel or sheet around the tank for a day for complete darkness, then all lights off but no towel, then room lights on, then tank lights on. If the tank is in a living room just skip the step were the room lights are always off.

Good luck!


I've had wild rays go for 2 weeks without eating, you should be fine

Completely agree, couldnt have said it better

Thanks for the help,

 

[CANAMONSTER]

I hope she pulls through, she has already got even more thinner. I know she hasn't eaten for a long time probably over a month. I will get some BW and sand. Do you think I should remove the divider and let my Pup male be with her or should I remove the male pup to another tank?

 

[CANAMONSTER]

This is my biggest dilema as the meds are really bothering my pup

 

[stingray keeper]

I personally never put a fresh import wild Ray in a tank with other healthy fish. It's a gamble. I'd follow the steps like 24/7 ghost shrimp and black worms, go to bigals and get some Carib sea torpedo beach sand (can't go wrong with that sand for Rays) put just a bit of sand not too much and turn out lights for as long as it take to get it eating.

 

[stingray keeper]

Avoid medicating the ray probably just needs reduced stress and stimulating food

 

[festaedan]

Thanks for the help,

Any time man, I know how stressful it can be having a ray that refuses to eat.
Do you have a seperate tank you can move the pup to so the medicine doesnt bother him?
If not, I got one

 

[CANAMONSTER]

Any time man, I know how stressful it can be having a ray that refuses to eat.
Do you have a seperate tank you can move the pup to so the medicine doesnt bother him?
If not, I got one

Very frustrating but a little bump to roll over.
I scored some Black Worms and fed last night male attacked them, female side is covered and I will see tonight if the female ate her portion.

 

[MHDevelopments]

Good progress on the feeding

 

[CANAMONSTER]

Good progress on the feeding

Thanks Mike!