Feeding cats...Mbuna tank.

[krzr3000]

So over the course of moving fish around i ended up with a few pictus cats in with my mbuna. Its working out great, but i have noticed they have gone from fat to normal looking. I'm sure they are getting just enough, but i was wondering if anyone had any experience or tips with feeding any bottom dweller in this situation.

The only way i can really get sinking food to them is to wait until the lights have been off for a while, shake something big in front of the tank to make sure the cichlids stay hidden, and that sort of works. But i have a well stocked tank, with large adults to surviving fry. So in a pinch i'm sure they will do fine but i was wondering if there are any other methods i can try?

Thanks!!

 

[mike dunagan]

are your pictus swimming around after lights out? I would feed a little after lights go out and they will find it...

 

[niqolas619]

I have one pictus in my 55g with about 12 or so mbunas, and he does fine. I was worried at first - like you - because it seemed (in my eyes) that he never got quite enough food. He never came out to eat while the cichlids were eating. He has since become braver, to the point where when all the other fish are eating, he starts swimming around the bottom of the tank underneath them - ready to snatch up whatever sinks to the bottom. I just make sure to put enough food in at a time to get past the cichlids and sink to the bottom. The pictus sticks his nose in there with all the other fish, fighting for the food!

 

[African_Fever]

I'd recommend a food like NLS; I find it works great b/c it sinks right away, and my cats (14 Synos in each of my 2 largest tanks) seem to get plenty to eat. I'll also try to feed them about one night a week about an hour after lights out to make sure they're getting plenty to eat. The only thing I'd be worried about with pictus and cichlids is them picking at the whiskers; some cichlids will probably be fine, but others may never let the cat's whiskers grow.

 

[krzr3000]

Alright thanks for the input, i think they will be fine.

The only thing I'd be worried about with pictus and cichlids is them picking at the whiskers; some cichlids will probably be fine, but others may never let the cat's whiskers grow.

Haven't seen any of that, the pictus are the ones pushing some of the less dominant cichlids out of their caves, very brave.

 

[merc123]

I have 2 4" pictus in there with over 25 mbuna and they are ferocious when I drop the NLS pellets in the tank. The pictus will eat more than the mbuna and gourge. They will chase away my 6" venustus and my 4" auratus. They have no problems chasing the cichlids and the cichlids don't bother them.

 

[Muske]

Sinking pellets (NLS), cut up market shrimp, brine, and frozen krill all sink. Try after the lights go out. My cats where a little skittish at first, but now they join in on the feast everyday. Once the pictus settle down a little, I'm sure they will be fine.

 

[mssassysan2000]

Sinking pellets (NLS), cut up market shrimp, brine, and frozen krill all sink. Try after the lights go out. My cats where a little skittish at first, but now they join in on the feast everyday. Once the pictus settle down a little, I'm sure they will be fine.