A few questions about raising a small armatus

[johnnycoolxx]

I bought a 2.5" armatus last month and have him in a 60g tank full of feeders. I tried to make the current strong in the tank by having an HOB filter and an air pump.

Is it a good idea to add a powerhead to my tank? I only have a 750gph koralia right now. I never see him eat and other threads I've seen have said adding a powerhead will increase his metabolism and make him eat more. But is that too much current for a juvie armatus in a 60g tank?

 

[West1]

I assume everyone has their own taste when growing out Juvi Armatus. Myself, I like current but not to much. I have a RenaX3 on a Corner 50gl tank and I can see the current is not as strong as it sounds... I do not get any swirling at the bottom.

So... I say go with your likes and O2 is a def need. If your looking to get him to grow fast, bump the temp up to 84-90* with lots of aeration and weekly 50% water changes... according to 24/7 feeders.

I am actually trying to get my 3"ers off live so they are starving weekly

 

[mynheers_a_pint]

West, what is the mortality rate at that size? I've always theorised that if they can survive 10 hours in a cargo hold, 2 hours on a truck then a few weeks in a stock tank, they should be fine by the time they get to our tanks but at that size, I can imagine them being insanely fragile. Is that the case?

Reason I ask is that I have FINALLY pursuaded someone to bring them into the UK (Rapps order!!) and because of the rarity here, I want to make absolutely certain that everything is ok.

Crap... going to have to start sourcing live for the time being.

 

[Gbusiness]

I don't think a powerhead would make a difference. I suppose it couldn't hurt,thou. I have young armatus myself. When I got them they were 1.5"-2.5". I feed mine fancy guppies and white clouds. They ate right away after only having them for a few day's and right in front of me. There probably hitting the 4" range now and I've only had them for maybe a month.
What kind of feeders are you using? I wouldn't think this would make any difference. But, maybe you should try some guppies.

 

[West1]

a_pint
I'm not sure about the death rate at this size? I got 7 pcs and lost 1 the following day. 2nd one checked out on Monday.
The 5 I have now seem to be doing good, one is snapping at krill.
I just finished up the PraziPro bath and once the 300 is cycled, they will head off to the 300.
Hope all of yours arrive alive n healthy!!!!!!!

Gbuis
I feed them rosie minnows as the Lfs around me do not sell feeder guppies no more

 

[mynheers_a_pint]

crikey... 7...! That would be quite expensive here. 2 is expensive enough! I'm going to make sure they have survived a week or so in this country before i take delivery, though.

The plan for my babies is to keep them with my baby C. Ornatum until the Armatus are an inch larger then they will probably move in with my baby golds until the Armatus are 10-12". That's the plan, anyway. Still need to upgrade my grow out to at least a 75g.

 

[West1]

Funny to say the feeder itself have been the "Teacher Fish". I got 1 3-4" commet and tossed him w/the grow outs. Goldfish eats the krill and gets the attention of the Armatus. As long as they are smelling it, I'm happy . Plus the feeder will be nice and healthy when I toss him in with the wolves... I'm going to try and keep these guys on a by-weekly live foods as I read a few threads about large Armatus dying at 20"+ for no reason leading towards food being the "potential cause of death".

I'm considering building a plywood tank and tossing it in the garage full off goldfish

 

[Otherone]

I tried something new a month or so ago when I bought a 5" Hydro Tat that seemingly worked well - salwater tech - Slow drip acclimation in a 5 gal bucket to get the Tat accustomed to new water parameters. The Tat ate well, No ick or external issues, went very well. Unfortunately a few weeks later the 10" Scomb ate'em but I thought the acclimation process was helpful.