help please! feeding frenzy?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Prometheus

Prometheus

Candiru
MFK Member
Jun 9, 2008
477
0
46
Earth
when i feed my bichirs they start to go crazy after about 5 minutes. i have play sand in their tank and iv been told that that type of sand can splinter and get in fishes gills and cut them. could this be happening cause it looks like they are in pain and trying to get out. its horrible to watch. is this just typical or should i be worried?
 
What do you mean go crazy?
 
nosing the glass frantically like its trying to get through the glass, well, my delh does that. the others just get real skittish and will dart off if they bump into each other. iv been a little worried about my delh, about 3 weeks ago i found it almost dead after having jumped out of the tank. its made close to a full recovery. there are still some red patches underneath its gills, and on one side of its head its got a patch where it has seemed to be molting or shedding. does this sound familiar?
 
Any tankmates at all?

cheers steve
 
How big is your tank, my ornate used to swim at the glass then I gave him a powerhead and he swims against the current for exercise. Hows the water parameters, what size tank. They only do this at feeding time?
 
my delhezi does that too. i find it ok as long as it doesnt hurt himself. mine did that when i first got him into the tank.
 
My bichirs have been known to get a bit nuts at feeding time... but I must say are you sure it's because of the food and not because you're suddenly standing by the tank moving around and/or turning the light on? Some bichirs are just skittish, and changes around them can set them off. Regardless, none of mine have ever been hurt in a feeding frenzy or just going crazy when I'm cleaning the substrate or netting a fish.

As for sand with bichirs, IMO it's perfectly safe. May mess with your filtration, but your fish will be fine. A lot of people on here have sand and haven't had issues. You'd have more problems with gravel (risk of ingestion/impaction) or large river stones (challenges getting uneaten food out).

Keeper
 
MMmm. Just thought of something. My fish HAVE been injured when they have flipped out before, but only by jumping and slamming their heads into the top of the tank. If they're doing that, then yes, by all means, worry.
 
cant help you....
your title says feeding frenzy.
im assuming you think they go nuts because theyre excited about food?
if thats the case,then no.
they wont go nuts crashing around the tank although they do get very excited.
as for sand,if you actually think something's wrong.
why dont you change it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom