silver arowanas only eat mussels

[rivers-rtc]

hi i have 2 silver arowanas both are crazy for mussels and wont eat anything else, iv tried them with salmon trout and prawns even locust but still no luck will eating just mussel harm the fish,
thanks

[Bderick67]

It won't harm them, but it's not the best possible diet for them. How big are you arowana, you may have to "starve' them to get them to eat other foods.

[rivers-rtc]

one is 10in and the other 22in

[le patron]

i would recommend starving them, like bderick said and training them onto pellets

[rivers-rtc]

the smaller of the two did eat pellets,but no more

[Bradley Dibble]

where would you purchase an arowana

[haynchinook334]

try and stuff pellets, shrimp, etc in the slits of the mussles.

[Bderick67]

i would recommend starving them, like bderick said and training them onto pellets

Yes starve them they are both big enough that it will not effect their health. I would go three days without feeding, then once a day offer pellets. I would suspect that since the smaller had once eaten pellets that it wiil be eating them again in a week or so. The larger can go much longer without food, so it may take 3 or 4 weeks before he will eat pellets. Don't give in, if you feel bad for them and feed just one mussle then it will only extend the time you have to starve them.

Only question I have is does the larger possibly have drop eye in both eyes? I have a large silver with DE in both eyes, it is near impossible for her to feed off pellets, so this may be a concern with your 22" silver. If no DE then start feeding just pellets.

[rivers-rtc]

will try it thanks.

[rivers-rtc]

it has drop eye in only one side so may be something to do with it

[Bderick67]

it has drop eye in only one side so may be something to do with it

Cause of DE is unkown, most don't believe it has anything to do with diet.

[rivers-rtc]

i think some foods are, but light plays a big part to, being to stronge and also breeding

[zennzzo]

Pure speculation...there are alot of theories, and some mix results on treating it, but there is NO KNOWN cause for Drop Eye in Arowanas

[Bderick67]

i think some foods are, but light plays a big part to, being to stronge and also breeding


I'd like to hear more on your thoughs on DE, you should post a rely here, The Dreaded DE (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222915) :)