Feeding my Stingray

[shallowreef]

Hi,

Does anyone know what is the best thing to feed my blue spotted stingray? Are there anyways that i can entice my singray to feed during the day? Right now i feed him a piece of scallop every three-four days at night. I ask about enticing him to come out during the day only because its just easier for me to feed everybody all at once. I cannot do ghost shrimp because i have a trigger and he would most likely eat all the shrimp before my ray.

Thanks in advance,

Nick

 

[steve-s]

What you feed these guys is really important. A good variety of crustacean flesh is a must, little fish flesh. As well as the fleshy meat, also include the whole animal. Small true crabs, shrimp, krill and large marine worms. It is very important they get the gut as well as the meat itself. Rays like sharks, lions, puffers ect are very susceptible to vitamin deficiency/goiter problems.

Enticing them to eat at a particular time will be really hit and miss. It's like trying to tell a cat what to do.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Jiddy]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=861003

Talk to the thread "owner" (named ENERGY) he has had one for a while and may be able to answer this and other questions

 

[shallowreef]

Thanks Guys!

 

[Llarian]

Now that you got your answer, am I allowed to make Steve Irwin jokes yet? Or is that still too recent to be anything but poor taste?

-Dylan

 

[shallowreef]

I feel your pain about wanting to crack jokes but i think a lot of people would get upset by it. JMO

Nick

 

[shallowreef]

Oh steve what type of vitamins do you suggest and how do i go about adding the vitamins to the food? I have never added vitamins before so if you could give me a list of vits and how to administer them that would be great!

Nick

 

[alison]

I am not familiar with adding vitamins, but my strategy is to buy only enough food for about a week, so when i make my weekly stop, i try something different.

 

[shallowreef]

Well i am planning on trying to feed him live ghost shrimp but my trigger fish is a beast and will eat all of them before the stingray gets a chance. At least now i can scare away the trigger while i'm feeding the ray. He is getting very use to me trying to scare him away and comes back quicker each time.

 

[steve-s]

Oh steve what type of vitamins do you suggest and how do i go about adding the vitamins to the food? I have never added vitamins before so if you could give me a list of vits and how to administer them that would be great!

Either feed the live animal foods enhanced with it or soak the dead foods in it. As I stated earlier, I urge you to stick with freshly thawed dead foods, not live. At least work towards it at any rate. Allow the food to thaw, drain the excess moisture and then add a small amount (drops) of both vit/HUFA and allow to sit 45-60 min. Then just feed as normal.

I am not familiar with adding vitamins, but my strategy is to buy only enough food for about a week, so when i make my weekly stop, i try something different.

This is great at keeping foods fresh but I would encourage you to look at foods that are not freeze dired, flake or pellet. Fresh frozen (not freshly caught) foods do alot more for your animals health, vitality and longevity. If dry foods remain a staple, it is even more important that they be augmented with vitamin/fatty additives. Also be sure they are stored in the freezer.

Well i am planning on trying to feed him live ghost shrimp but my trigger fish is a beast and will eat all of them before the stingray gets a chance. At least now i can scare away the trigger while i'm feeding the ray. He is getting very use to me trying to scare him away and comes back quicker each time.

Feed the trigger before you feed the ray of have someone feed the trigger while you feed the ray.

Cheers
Steve