New Lei "Monster"

[DN328]

Hi Folks, just wanted to share my 3" Lei addition to my new tank...

Quick story...as I had the bag he was in acclimating him to the tank it jumped out of the bag and on to the floor! I heard a noise and walked in to it violently flopping on the floor. I quickly and gently scooped him up and put him back in the bag to continue acclimating. I think he was out for about 30 seconds so I hope no "long term damage". My wife knowing that I was paranoid rubbed it in and said he may have brain damage. Needless to say, I put my glass tops on my tank once I released it in the tank.

Anyway, he seems ok and made it through the night in the tank. I tried giving him pellets last night but he would spit out. I tried again this morning and I think he did retain more this time. I guess from other experiences I've read I should just keep at it? Aside from the pellets I also feed my blood parrots frozen blood worms so will switch it up a bit as well. The only problem I have is keeping the juvenile blood parrots away long enough so the little guy has a chance to try to eat.

I was going to post a picture or two, but it seems I'm struggling to just upload the file...just hangs with no completion...any tips?

 

[DN328]

I tried some of the tips provided in the stickys but still no success for pictures...

 

[rodger]

You shouldn't have the aro in with the cichlids. It is way too small and aros are very delicate when small. I would forget the pellets for now. Get him growing on bloodworms, live blackworms etc. Feed him as much as he will eat 2-3 times a day. I got a lei at that size that is now 25". Good luck with it!

 

[JayC74]

^^Agreed. Pinhead crickets are gd too

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Agreed with the above but I would also toss a few pellets in with the other food items. If you can get a jump start on him taking pellets that young you will have a much better time haha. Just don't try to starve him onto pellets yet.

 

[DN328]

Thanks for the comments and feedback everyone. I will continue to observe their behavior closely, but so far they (2 little parrots and 2 3" plecos") have been behaving well together. In fact they all just ignore the Aro and go about their business. I think primarily they stay mid and bottom level and they have room to swim.

So it's been about 48 hours and as you all called out the Aro loves those blood worms so I'll keep that part of the regular diet while he's a baby. The good news too is that I continued to alternate with the tiny pellets and he's eating as well and I didn't see any spitting out like on day one. I also observed that the cichlids eating the pellets has a positive influence on the aro to eat as well.

Providing a photo link (albeit bad photo) http://1drv.ms/1KR5uo1 - it makes the thread a little more interesting, I hope. The little guy is in my ~260 gallon.

 

[JayC74]

Close all possible holes as well. Tank looks nice!

 

[DN328]

Thanks Jay...I have three glass lids on top that's secured with some acrylic latches to the eurobrace on the tank. I had them put 2 inch holes in each one so I can at least feed without having to remove the lids. It's faith if he happens to make it through the hole ��

 

[DN328]

It's been a few weeks and thought I'd share some updated pictures. Not very clear pictures but the first 3 are pictures of the little guy that looks to have "filled out a bit" and the last and his home that he shares with a couple juvi parrots, baby gold nugget and blue phantom plecos (but they are in the wood somewhere LOL).

 

[T1KARMANN]

It's been a few weeks and thought I'd share some updated pictures. Not very clear pictures but the first 3 are pictures of the little guy that looks to have "filled out a bit" and the last and his home that he shares with a couple juvi parrots, baby gold nugget and blue phantom plecos (but they are in the wood somewhere LOL).

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Your water level looks very very high I can see the stress bars


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