Best foods for a Petrochromis Sp.?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Rara12

Rara12

Exodon
MFK Member
Feb 28, 2009
82
22
23
New Jersey
Hey guys,

I picked up a 6" Petrochromis Sp. Red Bulu Point a few weeks back and I'm concerned it's not getting enough to eat and has become quite a picky eater for me. I love the fish and have him in a 36 gallon grow out tank with just a handful of small Mbuna's (all libidichrom Sp.'s) until I'm confident in his health. He eats, just not a lot.

I have Hikari cichlid excel in both small and large pellet size (sinking variety), Cobalt flakes, freeze dried krill, frozen bloodworms and a medicated deworming frozen food thats mostly krill and plankton based. I also tried boiled broccoli sprigs as I was told these fish are more veggie based and like to graze.

Any suggestions for getting his appetite up? Since the time of his purchase he has had a concave stomach and I'd really like to fatten him up.
 
That does not sound good. Petrochromis are normaly very greedy eaters.

Problems like that are often caused by simply changing the food they were used to.
I know some Petrochromis keepers who even ask the breeder or former owner which brand or company of food they use so they can feed the same.

Another problem is the hight protein content. Petrochromis have a very long intestine to get all the nutrients from the aufwuchs they feed on in the lake. That means the food stays a long time in their intestines an because of this to much protein can cause trouble. Means they can not diggest properly.

I would suggest flakes or pellets with a high amount of algea (spirulina) an no frozen food at all.

I hope the best for your fish.
 
He had a concave belly and still not responding too well with food since purchased a few weeks back?

We might be looking at another problem here..
Tropheus should not have a concave belly..

Perhaps you could share with us a photo of his profile from the side?

It is odd for Tropheus to be seen with sunken belly.. What is his behaviour like in the tank?
 
You mentioned it was a few weeks back...exactly how long ago was that?

Few things come to mind that could cause some issues - tank size and tank mates and mostly the food. Tropheus don't have the same diet as your mbuna.
 
He swims, but not as actively as he did the first few weeks. At this point I've had the fish for the last month and a half, maybe 2 months.

I have also been seeing long stringy poo, which I believe is a sign of internal parasites. Wish I had started out with an anti parasitic food initially.

I ended up grabbing spirulina flakes and sheets to try and get some more of an appetite.

I'll see if I can get some pics of him to help out
 
yeah, ditch the frozen, and possibly the cobalt flakes, depends on what they are.

Keep with the excel, and your new veggie flakes.
Could be parasites/bacteria. Wouldn't hurt to treat it with metronidazole.
 
Do you know that NLS has a food call Algae Max? It a wide variety of mix seaweed. You should be able to find it online. It has a very good reviews.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom