preparation for the arrival of ray pups?

gd day guys,

my female is preggy but i have no idea which stage she is in now, but
recently i can see obvious movement, mummy ray is still eating like
a cow, so i think she might be weeks away to deliver.

current she is with 1 male ray(daddy), 9 aro (10-12"), 3 erh,
1 IT, 1 albino pleco and 1 iriwin catfish (spelling), all in a 6 x 2.5 x 2.5
tank.


i know at this stage to move the mummy its very dangerous hence
she has to deliver the pup(s) in the current 6ft tank.

hence i plan to standby a small basket to contain the pup(s) when
they are out within the tank first. also, planning to standby a 4ft fgt
(at least 4x2x2) to transfer the pups (and maybe the mummy for her
recuperate).

questions:
1. immediately giving birth the water in the tank will be very dirty, can
perform WC immediately or can wait for a while first but how long?
2. can i removed the female ray and pups immediately after deliver?
3. jialat situation is the deliver took place when i m at work and no
at home to separate the pup(s), how
4. lastly, anything i missed out or any bro/sis have any input pls feel free.

thanks in advance

JD

i'm thinking the best is to separate the mother with a divider, not sure if this is the best way because rays swim when giving birth so they need the space.

another option is make a divider on stand-by. then after the mom give birth, just raise the divider a little then slide the baby rays under the divider to the other side.

hope this helps

sliding the baby rays under the divider reduces the stress on the pups and also maintain same water parameters. "hit two birds in one stone"

sad nite when we were welcome home with this sight, one still birth

[sebarau]

ouch... best of luck in the next 3 month bro..

[naser90096]

the first born always have fatality ... dun worry bro, next batch should have abt 4-6 pups ..
do monitor on the gestation period, from my experience, tank bred rays tend to give birth a little early - 75-85 days...

Originally Posted by sebarau

ouch... best of luck in the next 3 month bro..

tks bro, will pray hard.

Originally Posted by naser90096

the first born always have fatality ... dun worry bro, next batch should have abt 4-6 pups ..
do monitor on the gestation period, from my experience, tank bred rays tend to give birth a little early - 75-85 days...

thks for sharing boss ...

forgot to upload pix of the pair

female :


male :

[azon]

first birth to have a still born is quite normal.. you will get better news 3.5month later..