Need advice for feeding small C. Kerberi?

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Taboojen

Gambusia
MFK Member
Nov 15, 2005
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Any advice? I have a group of 5 small cichla keberi I just picked up. 4 eat well, one does not. (Does not appear he is being picked on). He'll give the feeder guppies a chase, but gives up quickly, like its not worth his time. Other than being skinny, he appears healthy - he swims actively, hangs out with the gang, and is alert.

Is it a bad idea to load up the tank with small feeders (guppies) to provide him with more opporunities to eat one? I tried other live food, such as blackworms, but there is no interest.

Any ideas on how to encourage this little fella to eat - as he's pretty skinny compared to his peers. I would hate to see him waste away. Thanks all!
 
honestly, I have the same fish you do and when I saw that they didnt really want to swallow the bloodworms I ran to the store that luckily just got a new batch of guppies, which is great b/c they all look clean and healthy, and I asked for 100. the kid gave me more like 200 and I definately did not complain. I poured them into a net, rinsed them off and threw them in the tank with the kelberi. they loved it and for the next couple days will have plenty of food to choose from. Is this the best idea. Not at all, chance of the bass getting sick-yes, water conditions getting bad-yes but there will be a large water change once this feeding is over, chance that it will be that much more difficult getting them to eat non live food-very likely. but i really had no choice, when we get pbass in at this small of a size it is great because they are a great price and can be in a captive environment from a young age, but these fish need food constantly until they put on a little size.

one of them got stuck to a filter for a period of time and was stressed and skinny until I helped him to get free. Now he has a great chance at catching up to the others because there is practically endless food.

oh yea, take a look at the pics George at shark aquarium put up. those bass are swimming in a sea of feeders
 
Yes, thats right you just got 5 as well. Its good that we can all learn for our experiences and help each other out.

I'm usually not too concerned as the cichla in the past that i've kept came around pretty fast, both large and small. However, small cichla are very fragile, as most people who have kept them can attest to - and these guys seem uber picky.

The advice I've seen around is to fatten them up until they are at least of considerable size - then try to convert. I think I'm leaning towards your idea. I have to drive out a bit further to a store, but their guppies are usually in a lot better shape than some of the other stores i've seen.

I guess, i'll also raise the temp a bit - as a preventative measure. I'll definately keep you guys posted - as I know a bunch of people picked up some the same pickey eaters recently. lol.

Thanks for the advice. :)

Ripdevil;2771065; said:
honestly, I have the same fish you do and when I saw that they didnt really want to swallow the bloodworms I ran to the store that luckily just got a new batch of guppies, which is great b/c they all look clean and healthy, and I asked for 100. the kid gave me more like 200 and I definately did not complain. I poured them into a net, rinsed them off and threw them in the tank with the kelberi. they loved it and for the next couple days will have plenty of food to choose from. Is this the best idea. Not at all, chance of the bass getting sick-yes, water conditions getting bad-yes but there will be a large water change once this feeding is over, chance that it will be that much more difficult getting them to eat non live food-very likely. but i really had no choice, when we get pbass in at this small of a size it is great because they are a great price and can be in a captive environment from a young age, but these fish need food constantly until they put on a little size.

one of them got stuck to a filter for a period of time and was stressed and skinny until I helped him to get free. Now he has a great chance at catching up to the others because there is practically endless food.

oh yea, take a look at the pics George at shark aquarium put up. those bass are swimming in a sea of feeders
Click to expand...
 
I would fatten them up on feeders till their about 7inches and if they eat other foods in between good aswell. Do that before you do the starve thing to get them to eat pellets.
 
From my limited experience with young Kelberi they are picky eaters. Alot of us that got the larger ones out of the 1st and 2nd batch found that they wouldnt eat anything but live. Mine did not even look at food for the first 5 days it was in the tank. Had me worried for awhile. But to this day I cannot get him to eat anything other than feeders. Wont even turn and look at prepared food. Youve got a golden opportunity to train them to eat prepared food since you got them so small. Feed them feeders but also offer them thawed blood worms from time to time.
 
Taboojen;2771005; said:
Any advice? I have a group of 5 small cichla keberi I just picked up. 4 eat well, one does not. (Does not appear he is being picked on). He'll give the feeder guppies a chase, but gives up quickly, like its not worth his time. Other than being skinny, he appears healthy - he swims actively, hangs out with the gang, and is alert.

Is it a bad idea to load up the tank with small feeders (guppies) to provide him with more opporunities to eat one? I tried other live food, such as blackworms, but there is no interest.

Any ideas on how to encourage this little fella to eat - as he's pretty skinny compared to his peers. I would hate to see him waste away. Thanks all!
Click to expand...

Has he eaten at all.. im sure hell come around if the other 4 are eating, just dont stress or panic cause that usually leads to supid decisions.. ;)
 
it was an amazing day when my first batch kelberi took down a night crawlers b/c it moved enough to interest him, but they are way too messy so that didnt continue

really hoping to get these new guys potty trained, I mean pellet trained quickly
 
Well, looks like putting in a few extra dollars of guppies in did the trick, as it provided plenty of opportunity for the little guy. Granted, it was nothing like the Vegas style buffet going on in the Shark's Aquarium photo (which looked awesome), but more like brunch at Hometown here. lol.

Although he's still not eatting as vorociously as the others, I'm glad he's eatting. Danity little fella.

Will definately look to convert them to shirmp / pellets when they get bigger (or at least try). I've used the method posted up in the Sticky (in this forum) by Dieslmack... and its worked for every pbass I've had so far, include my Chinese Perch.
 
I just found out they can take silverside, too.....if condition is right.

wow that's something I was not expecting.

This little guy can't wait to become a big boy.

It's gonna save me some cash.

BTW silverside $3/lb

IMG_0009.JPG
 
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