New False Tig Questions

Rachel.Cody · Feb 22, 2015

I picked up this little guy today. He's about 3 inches and currently eating bloodworms. I'm keeping him in a 5G quarantine tank until I can get him off bloodworms. What should i try feeding him? I also could not find much info about them, so any advice is appreciated. How fast do they usually grow? What is their temperament like/how are they with tankmates?

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Chicxulub · Feb 22, 2015

They're lazy, they love to prop up in some strong current and wait for food to come by. They're very hard to break off of live, though it varies from fish to fish. With the exception of congeners, they tend not to really bother other fishes.

IMO they're a good fish that can be quite rewarding, if challenging, to keep.

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Rachel.Cody · Feb 22, 2015

Chicxulub said:
They're lazy, they love to prop up in some strong current and wait for food to come by. They're very hard to break off of live, though it varies from fish to fish. With the exception of congeners, they tend not to really bother other fishes.

IMO they're a good fish that can be quite rewarding, if challenging, to keep.

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So I guess half the struggle is already done with him being on bloodworms lol?

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Zeke · Feb 22, 2015

Yes, if it's already eating frozen bloodworms, you're doing good. I agree with Chix on everything stated. I've had some that will eat anything, and some that were very picky. It depends on the individual fish. I bought the first one I'd ever seen outside of a book, in 1991 or so. That's another fish that I lost due to no power for so long in the blizzard in March of 1993. I really like the fish alot. The only thing I can think of is ,be really careful with the fish in the 5 gallon tank. Water conditions can change dramatically really fast in a tank that small. Mine really didn't like water changes when I first got them. Tap water that's aged a little seemed to help. I use oak leaves and branches alot because my water is so hard. After I had them for a good while, they got used to tap water for the most part.

Rachel.Cody · Feb 22, 2015

Zeke said:
Yes, if it's already eating frozen bloodworms, you're doing good. I agree with Chix on everything stated. I've had some that will eat anything, and some that were very picky. It depends on the individual fish. I bought the first one I'd ever seen outside of a book, in 1991 or so. That's another fish that I lost due to no power for so long in the blizzard in March of 1993. I really like the fish alot. The only thing I can think of is ,be really careful with the fish in the 5 gallon tank. Water conditions can change dramatically really fast in a tank that small. Mine really didn't like water changes when I first got them. Tap water that's aged a little seemed to help. I use oak leaves and branches alot because my water is so hard. After I had them for a good while, they got used to tap water for the most part.

The LFS I got him at is in the same area and has hard water also so he should be used to it. He will be going in my 75 once he's on pellets or cut frozen fish and that tank has a lot of driftwood so it should be softer hopefully. He's the first one I've seen outside of the Internet. I worry about him in the 5 gal so hopefully he will learn to take other foods quickly. Thanks for the help. He's a beautiful fish.

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Chicxulub · Feb 22, 2015

I wouldn't get my hopes up about changing his diet because he takes bloodworms. I've never seen a predatory fish that would refuses bloodworms (lol). Getting him to transition from the bloodworms to pellets is where your fight will begin. If he's small enough to fit into a 5g though, it might be relatively easy.

Good luck either way! Got any pics?

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krichardson · Feb 22, 2015

Are we talking about a juruense or some other species?

Chicxulub · Feb 23, 2015

krichardson said:
Are we talking about a juruense or some other species?

I would assume juruense without any other info.

Rachel.Cody · Feb 23, 2015

Well I got my PBass on pellets from bloodworms in one day, no joke lol. So I'm going to try the same method. I'll get a picture later today. And yes he's a juruense lol.

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Rachel.Cody · Feb 23, 2015

Here are a couple pictures of him. He like to pretend he's a goby with the way he sits I guess lol

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