Any time tested method to get ITs on frozen or prepared foods

[headbanger_jib]

Hi,
i got my first set of datnioides microlepis, 4 of them

they are in the range 4"-6" size now.

the previous owner was feeding them live fish, which included pink danios and small gold fish

i have tried earthworms, meal worms, super worms, to no avail, they are not even interested in those foods, will soon be trying market prawn although

are they usually skittish fish, 'cause mine seem to be quite skittish and hide most of the time.

currently i am feeding them wild caught puntius conchonius, which are quarantined and gut loaded on hikari pellet foods, before being fed.

any info will greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[TheFishJunky]

Try soaking some krill in the tank water so they're warmer and not still frozen or freeze dried and hard and then put them in next to the output of your filter or even throw them hard in to the tank so they splash and appear to be alive.It has worked for me for many dats,cichla,aro's,piranha and many others.Even an african pike ate its first piece for me tonight and he's only eatin live or bloodworm until tonight.Worth a shot.Silver sides are another option and use the same method as above.Hope that helps you out.

 

[TheFishJunky]

Oh another option that has worked before is once the krill is thawed out you could mix them in with some feeders and throw them in hard again with the feeders and they usually will hit the feeders and krill in a frenzy and eat it before they realize its dead. Once they taste it they'll usually like it and eat it afterward.
And yes,almost always dats are skittish.which may kinda contradict that whole feeding frenzy I spoke about but still worth a try.

 

[Sanotsuke]

same probelm here... he doesnt come to the surface for food... pick up a emo IT from a local aquarium ... he become really active in the new big tank ... color all showed up.. but still refused to eat massivore pellet..

i cant use feeder.. well coz there's monster fish in the tank as well.. peacock basses kelberi and temensis botu the same size too... and largemouth bass... haha.. he has no chance of snatching food or at least even try to go to the top water ... sigh