just ordered two wild hystrix pups (need advice)

**hystrix777** · 12-03-2011, 07:42 PM

Hey guys, im pretty new to the forums and looking for advice in this area. Currently i only keep arowanas and a few other monster fish.. I just ordered to wild hystrix rays from Brazil (yes they are legit). They are about 3-4 inches and currently in a hospital tank at my breeders location and should be shipping out this upcoming Monday and arriving by Tuesday. He says since they are wild he likes to medicate them and get the little ones feeding before shipping.

So this is the deal; ive kept tons of fresh and saltwater fish, just never freshwater rays. I have a cycled "hospital" tank im going to be keeping these guys in that is 15 gallons (but 18 inches wide to provide more swimming space). I ordered a special white sand for these rays and gave them about a 1 inch depth.. I forgot the name brand but it almost looks like a liquid and i know it doesn't affect the ph.. seems very soft, they say its great for rays and discus. Anyways, i have no plants in the tank and just a few small stones (should i remove these?). The ph is kept at 7.0 with a temp of 78f. My importer told me they are currently feeding on chopped earth worms, is this a decent part of their diet? I currently just have one hang on the back filter, ive heard rays need 0 ammonia in their water at all times, how would this be possible...? probally daily %50 water changes in my current situation?

Should this tank hold them for a couple weeks max? Any other tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!! thanks in advance guys, im new to FW rays and need some help, i wanna give these guys a good home!

**hystrix777** · 12-03-2011, 08:56 PM

one more question, i was told i should use an acclimation process with a drip before adding the rays after getting my shipment. what does this consist of exactly?

**frefal13** · 12-03-2011, 09:46 PM

Did you mean 0 nitrate instead of 0 ammonia? Because all fish require 0 ammonia and if your tank is truly cycled there will be no ammonia in the first place. There is a pretty good post on drip acclimation in the DIY forum, you can take a look there for more info.

**Cliff** · 12-03-2011, 10:00 PM

Here's some really good drip acclimation info.

I use the same process and it has never failed me

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ad.php?t=62211

**hystrix777** · 12-03-2011, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Cliff

Here's some really good drip acclimation info.

I use the same process and it has never failed me

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ad.php?t=62211

yeah sorry about that, 0 nitrate lol my bad.. any more advice would be great! thanks guys!

**Crispy** · 12-03-2011, 10:53 PM

I'm not sure I would use the drip acclimation method since the bags they will be shipped in will contain ammonia and it's best to get them out of that water right away.

**hystrix777** · 12-04-2011, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by frefal13

Did you mean 0 nitrate instead of 0 ammonia? Because all fish require 0 ammonia and if your tank is truly cycled there will be no ammonia in the first place. There is a pretty good post on drip acclimation in the DIY forum, you can take a look there for more info.

the tank has been running for over a year now, yes its cycled btw