Bichir: feeding/growing relationship

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popcorn1

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 7, 2008
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i have an 8 inch senegalus in with oscars and blood parrots. its real hard to get him to eat since i only have floating hikari pellets.

this is how i feed:
lights off (oscars and parrots can see in the dark)
hiding the shrimp or scaring the fish away
or turning on the lights when the fish are sleeping so it has like 5 minutes to eat

my question is will i be able to see my senegalus reach the 12 inch mark. i bought him a little less than a year ago when he was about 4 inches so he grew 8 inches in 1 year. i observe him eat and he doesnt get as much food as an fish tank raised fish should be getting. i dont even think wild bichirs get daily meals.
does feeding really affect its growth much? he gets enough to survive. hes not underfed. just not fed like an aquarium fish.

i usually feed with the lights off method but i know that the oscars and parrots can see even if theres a little light on. i dont know if the y steal the pellets or not. never checked.
 
Just save yourself the hassle and invest in the Hikari sinking carnivore pellets. That way you know for sure that he's eating. And yes feeding does help stimulate growth. It also depends on the bichir as well.
 
Just get some sinking pellets. Its not that hard...
 
I agree. Or if you want to see them eat alot, purchase some frozen silver sides and toss those in there. Everyone should be able to get their share and it is filling.

But Hikari pellets are the most nuritious food you can buy. So I would also invest in some of those.
 
yeah get some sinking food, then the bichir should be able to get more of its share. but even so i don't doubt the oscars and blood parrots can get to sinking food just as fast as floating ones, so just make sure you feed enough.

senegals typically get to 10"-12", but honestly do not expect every single senegal to hit 12", even for the ones that eat a lot. genetics comes into play.
 
If all else fails, just make sure and set aside some extra time aside at feeding times each day,and feed the quicker ones first.

Then feed the Sanes. Also you can try and target feed the Sens.

I do that everyday. 'Cuz my angels are known to steal...lol.

The Sens though are learning though to take their food under the flowerpots where the angels can't go.:D
 
Infblue;1627946; said:
yeah get some sinking food, then the bichir should be able to get more of its share. but even so i don't doubt the oscars and blood parrots can get to sinking food just as fast as floating ones, so just make sure you feed enough.
Click to expand...

No actually the sinking pellets are pretty slow to get down to the bottom. Which basically means... if the oscar and parrots are hungry they will get to them faster.
My means are feeding on one side of the tank keeping my cichlids busy while I drop some pellets on the side of where the polys are.

I've soon got to get a restock in the sinking pellets as I have to drop at least 20-30 for 4-5 to get to my 2 small polys.

Unfortunately, I need to find some kind of pellet for my lap, as he will only eat fish and market shrimp. I need to get him on a better diet.
 
can't you hold the food in your hand, put your hand to the bottom, and then release the pellets? that way, they will get to the bottom much faster.
 
just get hikari sinking carnivor pellets , I think i'm gunna go pick some up soon , hopefully getting a 55 gallon home for my 5 inch senegalus tomorrow :)!!!
 
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