siamese tiger fish

[scat66]

Just wanted to get some opinions, I currently have a microlepis(5") in a 48"x20"x18" tank, housed with 3 silver dollars (4"), 3 clown loaches(2"),1 sailfin plec (10"). It is filtered with an aquaclear 500, aquaclear 150, sacem marathon 200 canister. My question is how long before i should rehome the tigerfish bearing in mind all the other fish are only there to make him feel more comfortable as he rarely comes out from under his pot. By the way he has only just started to take goldfish this should increase his growth a little shouldn't it?

[M|L]

that tank can house a tiger dat for years.

goldfish aren't exactly the best diet for your dat, if he only eats live fish, at least feed him some high dollar tetras. :p but seriously though, you should get him to eat prepared foods like earthworms, blackworms, silversides, shrimp and whatever else you can get him to eat. feeding live should supposely boost the growth rate of tiger dats, but it's not very healthy for the fish.

[guppy]

When the loaches start to disappear he's ready to move, goldfish make poor feeders, if you live in a state that allows live bait try some bait minnows instead or guppies, a varied diet works better than straight fish, gut loaded live crickets should make him happy.

[M|L]

it's funny you should mention guppy, I'm not exactly sure why, but I've kept a 5" tiger dat with 1" clown loaches before and they do just fine.... I've heard of similar stories of large fish kept with small clown loaches without anything eating them..... go figure.http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/images/smilies/y220d.gif

[cuban jey]

i agree with above statements try starving him a little then give him some krill i gaurantee hell bang it with gusto

[guppy]

it's funny you should mention guppy, I'm not exactly sure why, but I've kept a 5" tiger dat with 1" clown loaches before and they do just fine.... I've heard of similar stories of large fish kept with small clown loaches without anything eating them..... go figure.http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/images/smilies/y220d.gif I have never kept a dat but have kept their cousins the leaf fish and am assuming they have similar appetites. I'm figuring that a tank that size should let it get around 8"s before needing to move. A lot of fish won't eat them but I had an american eel that did and a p. cichlid that choked to death on one.

[twk1]

Feeding him goldfish will speed up his growth BUT... can also kill him. DO NOT Feed goldfish, Cuban jey is right... starve him for about 5 days and then throw some krill in for him, or try market shrimp.

[downset21]

a varied diet is important, i feed mine krill, beef and chicken liver, feeders on occasion, and ghost shrimp on occasion. They grow real slow. but they are very healthy.

[Fried_fish]

I don't recommend switching from live to dried food. You're dats will love market shrimp with some patience from you.

[Atfownz]

whatelse kind of shrinp S?

[paOol]

speaking of feeding dats, what else is a good food to feed them that will boost their growth and enhance color? shrimp doesnt make them grow fast enough, and feeders are unhealthy.

[ThisIsTong]

CRICKETS!!!!!

[DeLgAdO]

it's funny you should mention guppy, I'm not exactly sure why, but I've kept a 5" tiger dat with 1" clown loaches before and they do just fine.... I've heard of similar stories of large fish kept with small clown loaches without anything eating them..... go figure.http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/images/smilies/y220d.gif

my tank is living proof :grinyes:

[downset21]

i have a feeling that a clown loaches coloration has something to do with it. I have noticed that alot of fish dont mess with them.