Has anyone every had an ATF die from training off live?

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sashimimaster

sashimimaster

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Mar 7, 2010
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So I've been starving my GATF for over a week now to get off live. He's a lot more stubborn than I thought. My 4 VATF's are all eating food sticks, krill, bloodworms, tilapia chunks even peas. They're all in the same tank so he see's what everybody else is eating. The GATF is just so stubborn and looking very skinny now. I'm afraid I'll have to give in and get some feeders. His face is turning pale and looks pretty lethargic.

I would really love to get him off live but is it worth risking having him starve to death? I didn't think fish were stupid enough to starve to death when there's food right in front of them. Then again they are just stupid fish...:screwy:
 
try some feeders, if he doesnt eat it then theres something wrong. Its Either he cant compete with the other atfs or theres something wrong with him. Maybe you should try and move him to a tank by himself and try fatten him up.
 
i am currently working on mine and my gatfs aren't getting like that and it has been over a week. something is up with yours and you should get it fattened up some then try again. currently doing a second attempt on a cuban gar. they will eventually give in, but it is not worth the risk if physical signs set in.
 
There's no way I'll be able to catch him. He's in a 680g tank. The only way he's coming out is if he dies or jumps out.

I put tons of food each feeding. Krill, blood worms, sticks sometimes cut up tilapia. So there's plenty of opportunity. I threw in some little feeders today just so he doesn't croak and he ate 3. But I won't put any more feeders for another week. So let's see how long he can hold out for. I gotta believe he can't get used to watching all this food go by every day and only eat once a week forever. Although that's exactly what he's been doing for the past week.
 
thats good, i wouldnt worry about it then. Bumping the temp to 84-86 would help, works everytime for me.
 
sashimimaster said:
Hmm, I'll try that. Although with 680 gallons it may take a week to raise it 5 degrees....:D
Click to expand...

Dang when did u upgrade? Once they get around 8"-10" they will pretty much eat anything & with the temp being high they will grow fast. Most people think atfs are slow growers but if u power feed them everyday they grow quite fast. No one believed me that my old vatf grew from 8" to 16" in less then 7 months, fed him 5-7 times a day starting early in the morning. Also important to turn off the lights at night and let them get some sleep.
 
I'm surprised he hasn't learned from the other fish. Keep trying, he'll eat the frozen. Try throwing small pieces of cut up smelt/shrimp from a distance so that it hits the water. This sometimes triggers an attack strike, especially if all the other fish are doing it. Good luck. Oh and a full tank shot is a must :)


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He could be the "black sheep" in the tank, thus, can't come get food with the others
 
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