Retropinnis, what are we going to do with you?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Desert Bus

Desert Bus

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Sep 29, 2006
1,115
366
122
Indiana, USA
retro001.jpg

This is my Retro. She eats very little and sometimes not at all. She seems to grow very slowly, but I realize this is subjective. When food isn't present, she constantly hides. I have very few hiding spaces in my tank.

It's a little over 7" long. It lives with one 9" Endli, one 8" Senegal, one 6" Senegal, and 6 3" Giant Danios. These 3 Bichirs do not hide.

Is it intimidated by the other Bichirs, or are Retro's naturally reclusive?

I plan on adding more hiding spots in the tank soon regardless of the answers I get.

Also, does anyone have pictures of monster 10-15" Retros?

retro001.jpg
 
Retros are very slow growers, and can be VERY reclusive, and hideouts are a must (IMO).

What size tank is it in?
 
My retro is the most laid-back of the group, and I don't know if I've ever truly seen it eat... I know it eats though because I've had it for well over a year.

Yours sounds normal to me.
 
tokyogasmask said:
Retros are very slow growers, and can be VERY reclusive, and hideouts are a must (IMO).

What size tank is it in?
Click to expand...

Good to hear it's not just mine. It's in a 40 Breeder. And yes, I know the Endli has to go at some point.

TheSwampFox said:
My retro is the most laid-back of the group, and I don't know if I've ever truly seen it eat... I know it eats though because I've had it for well over a year.

Yours sounds normal to me.
Click to expand...

I've had mine for about a year, and it's still alive as well, despite how little it eats. No wonder they grow slowly.
 
I have one that 8" and mine hide and eat very little ..
 
JamesF said:
My three are some what shy, but not overly. They also come out to eat quite quickly.
WHat are you trying to feed them? Mine go after NLS pellets quite god, raw shrimp less so, and raw tilapia like they haven't eaten in months.
Click to expand...

I mostly feed Hikari Tropical Sinking Carnivore Pellets. About once a month I'll feed cubes of frozen Beef heart, or disease-free live such as shrimp, tetras, or guppies. I'll give Tilapia a try.
 
My retro is also very reclusive. Doesn't come out to feed when the lights are on.
 
agree. in general, they are slow growers and don't usually eat a lot, especially with the older individuals.
 
My Retro was one of the biggest ive got in the lot.

However when it came into my community tank with the rest of the bichirs. It wouldnt eat openly and wouldnt grow fat.

Day after day it grow thinner but I still see it eat and thin almost like a rope fish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom