How to convert Dats (Microlepsis) off live food.

[Jakob]

I REALLY REALLY want a dat and have been reading a lot about them the last 2 weeks. I know it will only take feeders for start but here a single feeder (neon the cheapest) go for $3 each. I recently purchased a trio of swordtails to breed feeders. But i have limited room for the fry to grow up. I have the 30g with the trio (which i will put the dat in) + 2x 15g. so space is rather limited.
How do you convert to shrimps?

 

[DiXoN]

starve it.

 

[arkmann]

I'm on my second week of starving it and still no bite on pellets. I'll stand firm though...

 

[DiXoN]

they can take a while, you have to make sure it starts the starving period in a good healthy condition.
just dont blink first.

 

[DiXoN]

I'm on my second week of starving it and still no bite on pellets. I'll stand firm though...

pellets are a big step and maybe a step too far to start, try prawn or whitebait chopped first and then try pellets later.

 

[arkmann]

They're already on market shrimp/prawns.

 

[XB aro]

I REALLY REALLY want a dat and have been reading a lot about them the last 2 weeks. I know it will only take feeders for start but here a single feeder (neon the cheapest) go for $3 each. I recently purchased a trio of swordtails to breed feeders. But i have limited room for the fry to grow up. I have the 30g with the trio (which i will put the dat in) + 2x 15g. so space is rather limited.
How do you convert to shrimps?

holy crap feeders r $3 each? btw i agree u should go from feeders to frozen to freeze dry to pellets

 

[freeskier]

it can help if you have other fish to show interest in the food

 

[Angler]

I have owned an NGT, IT, and AT. All three never required feeders. They all took shrimp right away. I still have the NGT and AT, and the only thing they touch is shrimp. I guess that is better than being stuck on feeders.

Hopefully you won't even have to convert your Dat off of feeders.

 

[Jakob]

holy crap feeders r $3 each? btw i agree u should go from feeders to frozen to freeze dry to pellets

Well because of Icelands financial crisis this price isnt good to compare too, in the right currency it would be 5$.

Angler:
If the fish is in good shape (which i doupt it will) i will try shrimps right away. If he wont take shrimp the first week. I will do feeders for THE MOST 2 weeks.

Some prices from Iceland for fun. These prices are the cheapest in iceland:
1x Guppy= $7
1x Neon Tetra= $3
1x Datnoides Microlepsis (4")= $60
1x Silver Arowana (6")= $60
1x Clown Loach (2")=$30