Help with Peacock Bass Eating

[Touzer]

Hey everyone,

Im having trouble with getting my female peacock bass to eat. All she wants is livefood but i dont really want to risk that option.
Been trying to feed her smelt, beefheart, frozen shrimp, etc. Only the male eats it all. She is pretty skinny, starting to fustrate me a little. Any help would be awesome.

 

[Touzer]

?

 

[I<3fish]

Gonna have to eventually break down and feed it live bloodworms. Also, how do you know they are male/female? Can only tell when one forms nuchal hump and one lays eggs...

 

[silverdragon]

how long have you been trying to convert off live foods for?

 

[pwmin]

How large are they? If they're under 6-8 (opinions vary), don't starve it. Of course, if you know their sex, than they're probably big enough to starve.

 

[channarox]

if it only wants live,then only feed it live...
if you keep it how cichla keepers should,then disease is not a problem.
keep the temp between 86-90 F,and give it feeders at least til its 6-8".

 

[Touzer]

The male is about 14-15 inch and female around 12 inch. well, as of right now, i decided to start feeding them lake shiners. They seem to like it alot. Female getting a little belly now, so im happier now too.