In tank feeder fish for endli

[pepetj]

Since I never purchase feeder fish at the LFS due to the high risk of disease, I opted for feeding my endli with good sized livebearers (e.g. mollies) and Rose Barbs. I got a pair of juvenile zebra convicts to raise juveniles for the endli.

I read around trying to figure out what fish species is present in the natural habitat of polypterus. I found several large size species as well as some characins and African "tetras"; I though of tilapias since as far as I know this fish also comes from Africa; that and the fact that my endli enjoys "defrosted" tillapia filets put me in the direction of finding tilapias locally. Fortunately, a LFS is carrying juveniles of hybrid tilapias (they look like an attempt to hybridize YYY Tilapia aka Red Tilapia).

I brought home six specimens measuring 3 to 5 inches. My endli "took care" of three of them already. I wonder if it is possible to "farm" these tilapia species in the same tank where the endli lives, my doubt is what would be a feasible number of tilapia specimensto start things up (in custom built 5' x 2' x 2') or would the endli eventualy decimate the tilapia population no matter what?


Pepetj
Santo Domingo

 

[StripeGirl]

he would slowly get them all.Why feed live fish at all.I feed tilapia filets,worms,market shrimp,massavoire pellets,frogs,crayfish,etc...

 

[pepetj]

I love watching this fish in "hunt mode". This amazing behavior justifies the extra effort in using "spirulina enriched" fish for him/her. Those fish bring some life to the tank at daytime; a few will be missing from day to day; it may be expensive but I'm trying to provide care that somewhat ressembles its natural habitat.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

 

[Darth Scohin]

I feed tilapia filets, Massivore, krill and I'm working on getting Mollies to breed. And as masspoly said they wont be able to live for long i'd set up a seperate tank to breed them in then move over they babies.....

 

[iloveoscars702]

congo tetras, but there pretty expensive feeders.

 

[Shaihulud]

Tilapias can get pretty big, too big to be eaten. I would suggest growing out the tilapias to a suitable size before comming them. Tilapias ar tough fishes, so a big one would be more than enough to look after itself, they are very fierce when brooding, pity the poly that comes too near!