Feeding RB's Meat?

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Dec 6, 2008
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Quick question, Ive been doing some research and I've decided I'm going to buy 1-3 piranhas. Turns out my new college roommate works at a local slaughterhouse that his parents own and can get meat for cheap or even free. I've seen that people feed RB's beef heart, is this ok to feed young piranha? Or is there a better choice of "junk" meat on a cow to feed them?
He told me he'd get me beef heart for free and said he could get me a lot of other "junk" meat for free too.
I dont want to use this as a daily food for them, but something in-between, so the price of food doesn't get to high...as I am a college student.
Thanks,
Dustin
 
I've heard it said that too much "red" meat is bad
for piranhas,..I've never feed my piranha beef,..
allways stuck to shrimp, tilapia, catfish, occasionally
salmon,..etc,..
 
I would only feed beef heart in a small moderation only when they are younger. Other cow meat I would suggest staying away as a staple. Maybe giving it to them only once in a while if your strapped on cash.
Try mixing it up with store bought shrimp, tilapia, mussles and other white fish. Also try to get them on pellets when they are young. The more variety, the easier and cheapier and healthier they are when they are bigger.

Also will you be living in the dorms? What size tank do they allow, or what size tank are you going to sneak in? I assume you won't have the room for a large tank?

If you have a 29g I would suggest either trying a solo red belly as they will get to 5-6 inches in a year. Or I suggest getting a sanchezi. The sanchezi is a serra and generally has to be kept solo anyways. They are a nice fish that do not require as much room as most other piranha's.

Post your setup and any other questions and we will do our best to try and help you out.
 
dudey;2583577; said:
I would only feed beef heart in a small moderation only when they are younger. Other cow meat I would suggest staying away as a staple. Maybe giving it to them only once in a while if your strapped on cash.
Try mixing it up with store bought shrimp, tilapia, mussles and other white fish. Also try to get them on pellets when they are young. The more variety, the easier and cheapier and healthier they are when they are bigger.

Also will you be living in the dorms? What size tank do they allow, or what size tank are you going to sneak in? I assume you won't have the room for a large tank?

If you have a 29g I would suggest either trying a solo red belly as they will get to 5-6 inches in a year. Or I suggest getting a sanchezi. The sanchezi is a serra and generally has to be kept solo anyways. They are a nice fish that do not require as much room as most other piranha's.

Post your setup and any other questions and we will do our best to try and help you out.
Click to expand...

Thanks, do you suggest pellets or flake food? Or does it not really matter?
As for the tank, I do live in the dorms but I live in the larger type ones (I have a kitchen, living room, and bathroom etc). Size wasnt a problem but I was more concerned about what would happen if the tank broke or leaked for some reason (everything would be damaged).
And yes I do have a 29g that I just bought, your good haha. The set up I have is an Emperor 280, Hagen Powerhead, aquatherm 150watt heater, live plants, etc. I was planning on getting 3 baby RB's and a small pleco to help clean up. I did want to get a different species like the sanchezi, however my LFS guy cant get anything but RB's anymore.
I know that the tank is to small for them for life, I've done TONS of research on them, but I will probably be unable to have them after I get out of school this summer, as I work 60+ hours a week and I will probably be traveling for work this year. I talked to the owner of my LFS and he said he would be glad to take them back after school is out and give them a home or I might try them on Craigslist for before that. I'm going to give them a good home after I leave, NOT a flush down the toilet.
Thanks,
Dustin
 
Unless they are like half an inch, just go with hikari pellets instead of the flakes.
 
Pellets is the best think for the IE.. Growth/Color exc....
How ever if ya would like to toss some meet in just to watch them eat it
I see no harm .
I deff would not make it a steeple diet .
 
Xilomaniac;2583433; said:
I've heard it said that too much "red" meat is bad
for piranhas,..I've never feed my piranha beef,..
allways stuck to shrimp, tilapia, catfish, occasionally
salmon,..etc,..
Click to expand...

^ what he said..
 
im sure you have enough info for your decision, but just thought id throw in my experience. i have 5 red bellies in a 125 gallon tank. i have raised them since they were just bigger than my thumb nail. first started with bloodworms, once they were about 3" or so i fed them frozen shrimp and chicken. once and a while some hamburger or steak, but the shrimp was the staple. they are now about 10" and healthier than ever!
 
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