Food aggressive bichir

[Ajxackt]

I have two bichirs, one is larger than the other by about half an inch in length (They are 3-4 inches right now).
The larger of the two is food aggressive. We feed them four small bottom feeding pellets that are sliced for easier eating. In theory, two for each, right? No. The larger will find the food and drive the smaller off.
We have tried splitting up meals (two pellets, wait until they are gone, then two more pellets), and splitting up feeding areas to match each bichir's hide. No matter what we do, we end up with a bichir with four pellets in his stomach and one begrudgingly eating the flakes we feed the other fish in the tank.
Any suggestions on feeding them so they both can eat? I was hoping after a few days of timed feeding that they would settle and realize that they dont have to gut stuff to survive until the next meal.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

overfeed, they are babies yet-feed them until they stop eating.
You can target feed too, get a big pair of tongs, and drop the pellets right in front of the smaller poly.
what species are the polys?

 

[jaws7777]

Agree. I think your under feeding. They have natural instincts that we dont fully understand. They see food and eat it not knowing what we know about feeding schedules especially at that size. Not enough rime for any conditioning

 

[Ajxackt]

They are both senegals.
I'll try overfeeding. I worry a bit becuase i can see the small bulges of pellets in the larger one and I think he eats so much he throws some of it back up, but those are babies for you.
We also have some tongs, I might try target feeding since the smaller one enjoys people a little more.

 

[Slippery K]

I would just target feed the smaller one of the larger seems to get more than his share anyway. But great advice already stated here.

 

[Ajxackt]

The larger one gut packs like he won't get fed again in twelve hours. We do feed them twice a day to try and encourage the smaller one to eat.
We are going to get some different pellets and probably some bloodworms or beefheart also to see if that encourages the smaller one to eat. Variety never hurt, right?

 

[jaws7777]

You could also try cutting up tilapia into smal peices they whould really enjoy that

 

[Vancouver_98683]

Place the pellets and cut Tilapia (highly recommended) on the left and right side of tank. So, the little one has his share. Observe if this works. My guess is the little senegal should catch up in appetite and size in a short time.

 

[Polyaddict86]

Like everyone mentioned, it really work. I have more than 15 polys( from 7" to 3" ). What i do is i put extra food and wait for 30 min or so then take out whats left so it dosent foul my water. My endli and sen. Eats first once i drop the food and the del and ornate goes next, then my small once goes last. Having two polys is easier than having more when i comes to feeding.