Feeding bichirs

[Lemonhaus]

I just got one yesterday for my gar tank, same sized as the gars at around 8 inches. They're in a 120G tank. Is the bichir fast enough to catch live feeder fishes? If not, will it take sinking pellets? The shop used to feed them feeder fish but in a 60G tank. I noticed it's quite clumsy in movement.

 

[Owens]

It would be best to pellet train, while they can catch feeders, as im sure you saw they are quite clumsy.

With that said you should get all of your fish off feeders! Only a matter of time until they catch a disease.

 

[Slippery K]

I used to have a Delhezi that loved pellets and talapia fillets.

 

[Lemonhaus]

Trying to wean the gars off feeder fishes slowly. Not sure if it'll work. I'll try to feed the bichir sinking pellets used for my RTC later after work.

 

[Owens]

Like slippery said tilapia filets work magic. Probably be a good tool to ween your gars off as well.

Just starve them while offering the tilapia. I promise they won't starve themselves. They can go weeks without eating. When they are hungry enough they will start taking the filets.

 

[jaws7777]

I wouldnt risk feeders. Too much hard work keeping the fish healthy and disease free to have it ruined by a feeder fish.

Like owens said starve them. I hate doing it with little ones but its realy the only way. I feed anything thats on sale in the frozen section. Been flounder lately

 

[Lemonhaus]

They cost a lot weekly, since I have 3 gars and a RTC before the bichir. Was thinking to switch to fillet or frozen fish once they hit 12".

 

[tlindsey]

I totally agree with everyone, you are risking health of your aquarium with feeder fish, try to ween gars now.
Bichir shouldn't be too hard to accept small cut up pieces of fillet, or pellets.

 

[Lemonhaus]

If I manage to shift to pellets for the gars, will that slow down their growth? I only intend to use this 120G till end of the year before moving them to a 480G fiberglass tank.

 

[Dr.B]

It shouldn't affect their growth of you continue to feed them and keep them full. As far as getting them off of live, I would start by cutting the tilapia into somewhat long slivers and drag it across the tank. Then eventually I'd just drop the slivers in. After that I would just drop cut up pieces in. Takes time, but not too hard to accomplish.