Getting Red Tail Payara Off Of Live Food

[BAM_74]

Hi,

I have a red tail payara who is currently about 10-12”. I have had him for about 6 months now. I have been feeding small tiliapia to him, but would prefer not having to keep, treat, and feed feeders. I want to get him off of live food, but the problem is that I never see him eat as he doesn’t strike at the tilapia when they hit the water and waits to until the middle of the night to eat when I am asleep. I’ve only seen him eat twice so the method of throwing several feeders in and then a piece of fish won’t work since he waits to hunt and eat them until after dark. Plus, he will take several days to eat the 4-5 tilapia that I put in. He will eat maybe one or two a day and sometimes not eat for several days. Any ideas or suggestions on how to get him off live food? Or has anyone had a similar situation. I’ve been trying to brainstorm how to do it, but it’s hard when I don’t see him eat and he doesn’t strike at them when they first hit the water. Thank you for the advice. These are very interesting fish to keep!

 

[BAM_74]

Here is a picture of him

 

[reddead38]

So when i had my red it had very similar behavior. I got mine around 5" and he had a great appetite for live, but nothing else. I bought 2 more of about the same size and the competition between them actually got them on tilapia and massivore. Once they reached that 12" mark they only ate every 3 days or so, although at that point they were onto other foods. But dropping food in front of a big powerhead seamed to help initially.

 

[BAM_74]

So when i had my red it had very similar behavior. I got mine around 5" and he had a great appetite for live, but nothing else. I bought 2 more of about the same size and the competition between them actually got them on tilapia and massivore. Once they reached that 12" mark they only ate every 3 days or so, although at that point they were onto other foods. But dropping food in front of a big powerhead seamed to help initially.

Thank you, are Redtail payaras the ones with the short life span in captivity? I wasn’t sure. Thanks again, I will try your technique, it is difficult because he won’t eat in front of me.

 

[reddead38]

B BAM_74 the best way to get him to feed in front of you would be to starve him. When you have live feeders in the tank he will only eat when he wants. Dont be afraid to starve him for a week or 2 then only feed a single feeder at a time. If he doesnt eat it try to get it out (iv threaded 2lb test fishing line through feeder tails with just a knot holding them on so that a quick tug will pop them off) eventually he will get hungry enough and take the feeder in front of you. Do it a few times and it will become routine recognized as food. Then you can start dropping in other foods.
And no scombs have the shorter life with 12" sudden death syndrome. I had my tats around 3 years.

 

[fishtankphil]

Yeah i agree too. Gotta starve them for a little while. Eventually the fish will come around and eat. As long as u maintain the environment stability it will take. Just be patient and do not give in!!!