Live Feeders for Jaguar Cichlid

[PaiLum92]

Recently picked up a new Jag, which is about 7"-9". The LFS i got it from was feeding it live feeders.

I am wondering what feeders would be the best? I was thinking of going to a bait shop and buying a bunch of minnows, but not sure if they woud be safe or not?

If i do this, should i add some antibacterial meds to the water to kill off parasites/bacteria? (The LFS had thier feedes in something he called Melathane(?) Blue. Should i get this?)

 

[shamrock]

Here is my advice, stop using live feeders to dangerous and expensive in my opinion. Try weaning your
Jaguar off feeders. I would start with Brine Shrimp and Bloodworm then eventually move to Pellets. This may take a while and you may have to starve your Jaguar but in the long run its the best for your fish.

 

[PaiLum92]

Yea, trying to wing her to freeze dried shrimp, she shows a little interest, but doesnt take em.. yet. The guy at the LFS said maybe drop in a live feeder to get her excited, then right after drop in a shrimp, that way she might eat it thinking it is another live feeder, and repeat the process.. not sure if that would work though.

 

[shamrock]

No I wouldnt do that. Since you see her showing interest in the shrimp that is a good sign (even though she wont eat it). Just be patient and eventually she will eat the shrimp but don't do what the LFS employee told you to do-just stupid IMO. I have purchased cichlids that were used to eating only frozen food for example but eventually they got hungry enough to eat what I was feeding them.

 

[cacichlids]

Switch her to live ghost shrimp... Here in my lfs I can get 100 for $10 and hardly any cichlid can resist em... I just drop the 100 in the tank and my fish spend all day hunting em. the ones that survive for a few days do a great job on cleaning the little cracks that my loaches can't get into.

After the first batch is gone, try freezing a few of them and feeding her that... then switch her completely to freeze dried shrimp, then pellets.