Hand Feeding Bichirs

[Hendre]

Absolutely not. I never surface feed them but when moths invade mealworms you gotta take the chance! Polys are wildly food orientated, some raw fish at the surface should get them hungry

Dels are pretty lazy. Maybe that's a contributing factor..

 

[IgnatzMcJockel]

Polys are wildly food orientated, some raw fish at the surface should get them hungry

at the moment i'm already looking for tilapia filets...maybe this will help

Dels are pretty lazy. Maybe that's a contributing factor.

I realy can confirm that^^
but hopefully the tilapia will excel their lazyness^^

 

[magpie]

For me, I used the stinkiest stuff to hand-feed and was just really patient. I started with silversides.

I also think I might have tried tongs before fingers - smaller looking and less intimidating. I can't fully remember but that might be a good starting point.

The ropes liked to go to the surface anyway, so I'd just put a piece in my hand, try not to move at all and be patient. There was always a bolder one and that helped. Once they got used to it over time it was easier, and I could move around more.

I did get my Polli to eat out of my fingers also, but she was really pretty outgoing and also liked to swim a bunch. I never got any of my other polys to do it, but also didn't really try with them. I had a tall tank - so if they weren't coming to the surface, I wasn't going to bother.

Here's the Polli trying it for the first time. (Sorry, not a great video - hard to film and feed the fish at the same time)

 

[IgnatzMcJockel]

For me, I used the stinkiest stuff to hand-feed and was just really patient. I started with silversides.

I also think I might have tried tongs before fingers - smaller looking and less intimidating. I can't fully remember but that might be a good starting point.

The ropes liked to go to the surface anyway, so I'd just put a piece in my hand, try not to move at all and be patient. There was always a bolder one and that helped. Once they got used to it over time it was easier, and I could move around more.

I did get my Polli to eat out of my fingers also, but she was really pretty outgoing and also liked to swim a bunch. I never got any of my other polys to do it, but also didn't really try with them. I had a tall tank - so if they weren't coming to the surface, I wasn't going to bother.

Here's the Polli trying it for the first time. (Sorry, not a great video - hard to film and feed the fish at the same time)

Thanks
This will be a great help for me. I've got some spare time the next weeks and will try my luck.
I'll keep this thread updated

 

[IgnatzMcJockel]

Sorry for the late update.
I had first results...but since mit Acaras got larger, the Acaras eaat everything out of my hands, before the Polys recognize the food. (The most greedy fishes i've ever kept^^). But i've got a little hope... my new Poli is much more active and curious...maybe it will work with him

 

[IgnatzMcJockel]

I currently have a small Teugelsi in a growout tank... so no greedy Acaras^^
Maybe it will work this thime. First results are encouraging.

Teugelsi Growout Thread

Today i wanted to start training Murphy to eat pellets. I gave a few hikari carnivore pellets in the tank. Murphy came out emediatly and ate them. I'm not sure, if can call that "training" xD

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

My Delhezis hand feed (I can get a video when I feed them later) I find that the smellier the food the more likely they are to take it (I think it distracts them from my hand). They really only take smelt from my hands I think because of the smell.

 

[IgnatzMcJockel]

hey Kelly_Aquatics
A video would be great!
My bichirs are also more interested in smelly food. They are nuts for Rainbow Trout and sometimes i am thinking about trying Herring... but i am not sure if that would be a good nutrition...

What smelly food are you using?

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

IgnatzMcJockel I use whole smelt! Its the perfect size for a full grown del and it is pretty smelly. I get them at a local Asian super market

 

[IgnatzMcJockel]

I am not feeding whole fish until now...
I'm a bit scared, that the bones could cause injuries ?
Mine get only bite-sized filet (i know, i'm a helicopter-fishkeeper^^ ).
But smelt are very common as fishfood in germany... i think the most LFS offer it ... so mabe i should give it a try