Fattening up an African Arowana (?)

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Madding

The Ninth Holostei
MFK Member
May 11, 2009
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My 16"-17" African Arowana is looking a little skinny these days. It's mostly eating an assortment of sinking Hikari pellets and occasionally some frozen krill.

I'm thinking about trying to increase its diet to fatten it up just a little bit. Should I just feed it more, or should I add something else to its diet?

It isn't like grossly thin - it actually looks pretty normal - but as someone who sees it everyday it does look a bit thinner than maybe two months ago. This could just be a result of growing longer and tricking my eyes, but I'm not taking chances. Search up my photo/video thread to see the afro last month if you want, I don't think photos are necessary here.

All advice welcome. Thanks!

Michael
 
Just feed it more. You will know if it's skinny by looking at the upper view. If the head is wider than the girth of the body and almost looking like a tadpole in shape then that you know it's skinny. If the head girth even up to the body girth then it's just normal or almost like baseball bat shape.
 
I think it is a little skinny then. I'll up the feedings.
 
i did read that they need several feedings a day. Up the feedings is my best suggestions. You can try the occasional turkey hot dog. They have a good chunk of protein and high in fat. Just dont do it often as it causes nitrates to increase quicker and is quite high in fat.
 
i would try to feed him feeders that you have previously fed blood worms or brine shrimp or something more nutricious than flake and definetly keep a varied diet(krill,frozen shrimp,big worms,crickets,ocasonal frog..and up the feeding ratio
but when feeding more there is more waste of coasre ....good luck
and have a nice day
sheldon allan
 
Upping the temp a few Degrees may also help. Higher temp = faster metabolism and more growth. But also more aggression so if its solo i wouldnt worry but if it has tankmates that could get hurt id maybe avoid that.
 
goestonemoa;4286109; said:
i would try to feed him feeders that you have previously fed blood worms or brine shrimp or something more nutricious than flake and definetly keep a varied diet(krill,frozen shrimp,big worms,crickets,ocasonal frog..and up the feeding ratio
but when feeding more there is more waste of coasre ....good luck
and have a nice day
sheldon allan
Click to expand...

you guys have to remember this is an African Arowana which at that size would only be able to eat (or willingly eat) a fish of no larger than 1.5" or less, You could also try food sticks and see if he eats that
 
I have a couple different things I can add for variety, but feeders won't be taken by him. His tankmates would eat them before he even noticed they were there.
 
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