Bite force overrated?

[jaws7777]

The past few days ive been feeding them large chunks of tilapia to see if i can get a death roll or tug of war but what i noticed was they really dont have strong jaws.

These guys arent monsters by any means the largest are probably in the 16 to 18 inch range but i was still surprised they couldnt bite through the tilapia even though its a tough meat ive had plecos that tore chunks out if, the vulture bites through it like its butter and a wold fish... well their wolves so nothing surprising there.

This pbb was messing around with the food for a couple of minutes until the vulture helped out and took a chunk out of it.

Again the vulture helps the congi who was unable to bite through it (didnt capture it on the vid)

Endli also couldnt bite through.

 

[itrebebag99]

Awesome tank!

 

[Polyaddict86]

I think bichirs jaws are meant to grab hold their food similar to crocodiles, i dont think its meant for cutting, their teeth looks similar to a croc were its just sharp on the tip for holding its not sharp as a piranah that can slice food.

 

[thefredpit]

I think bichirs jaws are meant to grab hold their food similar to crocodiles, i dont think its meant for cutting, their teeth looks similar to a croc were its just sharp on the tip for holding its not sharp as a piranah that can slice food.

I agree they are more for tearing than cutting

 

[moe214]

I think bichirs jaws are meant to grab hold their food similar to crocodiles, i dont think its meant for cutting, their teeth looks similar to a croc were its just sharp on the tip for holding its not sharp as a piranah that can slice food.

Agreed. They rely more on sucking in something that fits otherwise they won’t get it down unless another comes in grabs for them to rip. They aren’t built to shake like a shark and their teeth aren’t sharp enough to tear through.

 

[jaws7777]

Agreed. They rely more on sucking in something that fits otherwise they won’t get it down unless another comes in grabs for them to rip. They aren’t built to shake like a shark and their teeth aren’t sharp enough to tear through.

This i agree with. Grabbing prey and taking it down whole seems more likely


Even so they werent able to tear the tilapia. Shook the food like a dog and its favorite slipper. I was a little surprised at this. Even my little 2 inch convict bites little chunks off larger pieces

Crocs have one of the strongest bite forces nature can offer.

I

 

[jaws7777]

Awesome tank!

Thank you

 

[Catlas Se7en]

I think they have a relatively strong bite force, but their teeth aren't meant for tearing. Think tyrannosaur or even moray eel. The teeth I think are more for holding the prey, while external forces tear it apart if it can't be forced into the mouth with suction.

 

[Hao]

They would have to do the death roll to tear anything.

 

[twentyleagues]

So when I tried to add my congos to the 180 (failed) the dels went after them and 3 ended up getting chopped. 1 lost part of a tail and to had distinct tooth impressions through the scales on their backs. I lost 1 was large enough to swallow. The others have healed and wont be tried in there again. But that single black skirt tetra still hangs in the tank with them, (its smaller then all the congos) little ninja.
So I agree meant for holding. But when in 75 I lost all my giant danios a couple had chunks missing.....luck? found someone or thing to assist?