How long should i starve my Armatus?

[West1]

I just can't afford a $100.00 feeder...[/quote]


Thats funny.

I think a Gar is a lot cheaper than a Aro (MOP) and would be a better (also cheaper) to experament with (plus they have a realy thick layer of skin and MIGHT do better if there is a battle)

Do tell if you try Trev

 

[West1]

Just a stupid question: why do you starve them?

Oops (I read the comment wrong, if you seen what I posted before)

You starve fish that eat live foods to get them off of live foods and shower them with the foods you want them on. They will eventually take the foods you give them (it can be a long process thou)

 

[vamptrev]

Not sure what planet you all are living on, but I wouldn't dare put anything in my tank with my armatus unless I wanted it shanked a few times. Theres just no way my guy would accept another mate unless it was way bigger than him.

JD had him in with a massive distichodus and datnoid, and other things, but the smaller peacock in there looked scared ****less. The damn fish even fake bullrushes my hand through the glass, baring his teeth.

Some of the japanese sites show them "cohabbing," but all with very large tankmates, and the armatus look very, very well fed.

You guys know your fish better than I do, and considering I am new to this monster fish/armatus game, you will be fine...but I'll be watching to see what works and what doesn't. I just can't afford a $100.00 feeder, when the armatus will literally poop it out in half a day.

i didnt think about it that much, now im not sure if it would work.

ive never owned a gar and not sure how they act.

ill have to do some research

 

[West1]

i didnt think about it that much, now im not sure if it would work.

ive never owned a gar and not sure how they act.

ill have to do some research

I have a spoted with my Ray, 3 Tats and baby Silver Aro. He is the biggest in my tank at 9.5" and is a calm fish. He schools with the Tats sometimes, but mainly just cruises all day. He is a all around tank swimmer. Mine swims Mid to bottom and top (from most to least) and minds his own business (for the most part). I think it is worth a try, considering the cost of an Aro (I think as long as you keep a tank mate with the Armatus and get him used to another fish, the success rate should be a little higher. Thou I never owned Armatus)

 

[channarox]

i would try a gar.
theyre hardy,have protective scales and should survive an armatus attack long enough for you to realise and get him out.
maybe you could try some of the larger bichirs?
how about a big pbass?

 

[DB junkie]

LOL.....

I have come to the conclusion that my Armatus is a big ol pu$$y. The thing has to be around 8 inches and is and has always been living with a 4in Pink Tailed Cheleus. NO tatered fins or tail. I just recently (2 weeks ago) moved the nandus it was in with that was about 3 inches.... Still living with the Rhaph but not for long as shankings happen about once a month. The thing even got chased around by the flagtails.

Gar....... I had really good luck with keeping gar with my Armatus.... Had 3 in there for a while but moved them due to overpopulating and the fact they are the cheapest fish I have. Have always kept them with rays....they even eat shrimp right off the backs of the rays without even touching them.....

 

[unknownuza13]

good idea!

he wont mess w my rays??

I think generally rays and gars are ok with each.. There will probably be more problems with the ray trying to pin the gar depending on the size of each. I have two tropical gars in with my rays now with no problems at all. The problem I do see is that gars can sometimes spook easily and will injure themselves by hitting the tank. Armatus tend to do a lot of false charges which could send the gar flying into the glass. I think bichirs could be a good trial tankmate. I had mine together with a 15" endli bichir for a few weeks and the armatus would actually put his open mouth with teeth on the endli and push him. No damage was ever done but this shows that even bottom dwellers are not completely safe.

The community tank that we all know that has the armatus and other fish is a very large one. I believe it is somewhere in the 1000-1200 gallon range. There is a big difference when trying to mix the fish in a 300-500 gallon tank and a 1k + tank. His mix is also made up of sub adult to adult predatory fish that can hold their own with practically any fish out there. Huge ATF, Wolves, Bichirs, etc..

LOL.....

I have come to the conclusion that my Armatus is a big ol pu$$y. The thing has to be around 8 inches and is and has always been living with a 4in Pink Tailed Cheleus. NO tatered fins or tail. I just recently (2 weeks ago) moved the nandus it was in with that was about 3 inches.... Still living with the Rhaph but not for long as shankings happen about once a month. The thing even got chased around by the flagtails.

Wait until he gets 10-12" and then let the shanking begin.

 

[marmot]

Wait until he gets 10-12" and then let the shanking begin.

/nods head enthusiastically.

 

[cichlaguapote]

Wait until he gets 10-12" and then let the shanking begin.

I think alot of people fail to consider that. From what I've heard of your experiance it seems like armatus become nastier with age/size. And alot of people seem to think 6" wussy armatus means 18" wussy armatus when larger.

 

[DB junkie]

I guess time will tell. All I know is mine does NOT act like the typical stereo-type. I know that a lot of people have mentioned aggresion issues since day one regardless of size. I think mine has been raised a little differently than everyone else's.

If I remember correctly it was also thought at one point in time that payara would not eat anything but live..........LOL