> Feeding <

[siebertn]

What do you guys feed your Cichlids when you buy them big?

I bought a male Jag (about 10" big) 16 days ago and he hasn't eaten anything except some bloodworms.

I have tried shrimp, squid, NLS, Hikari Bio-Gold, Omega-One everything except Hikari Massivore because i can't find any.

I will try one more shop tomorrow that might have some Massivore to see if that can get him to eat.

 

[Deep Blue Sea]

Hikori Gold, or Monster Extreme

 

[polish]

Was it only eating live before? My Jag is pretty picky, as was one I had in the past. The current one only eats Cichlid Gold sinking pellet or Live. I think I have seen her take a Massivore on occasion though.

 

[siebertn]

The guy at the shop said that he has only ever been fed pellets but im having my doubts.He is driving me crazy it is as if he doesn't know what to do with pellets floating or sinking.He just sits there and watches me with his big eyes.

 

[Sab_Fan]

find out what the LFS was feeding him; my cichlids eat a variety of pellets (New Life Spectrum, Hikari Gold, Omega One, etc.), but some they like better than others

the #1 choice of my larger cichlids is New Life Spectrum, which is also the brand my LFS uses . . .

 

[ilovearowana]

feeder fish would do

 

[Jason_S]

if you can find out what brand the lfs was feeding him then great. otherwise, just continue offering a few pellets each day, removing them after 5-10 min. if he doesn't eat them until he starts taking them. most cichlids aren't going to starve themselves to death...once he gets hungry, he'll figure out what is there for him to eat.

also, make sure the water stays very clean. he could very well still be adjusting to the new surroundings. the larger the cichlid, the more grumpy they can be and the longer it can take them to get used to a new tank.

i'd stop giving him anything non-pellet as well...no feeders, bloodworms or anything like that until he's taking the pellets you've giving him.

 

[dlp40]

I agrre with Jason-s. I would stop the bloodworms as they will just make him only want the "comfert Food" if you will. I had a pair that did this same thing to me in 2006. After about 4 days of nothing but pellets they started taking them.

As for what I like to feed my big cichlids well........

Hikcari gold and bio gold+
omega one cichlid pellets and freeze dried krill
NLS
Night crawlers
market shrimp
market fillets of fish
crickets
ghost shrimp
African cichlid culled fry
and any veggies they will take in pellet ,flake , or raw

 

[Gruff Master]

feeder fish would do

Don't do it! A Jag with a habit of eating feeders is a hard one to break. I know first hand. Keep feeding him pellets until you find something that he will eat. He won't starve to death. Eventually hunger will win over stubborness. Feeders are not worth the health risks they present and the lack of vitamins they provide.