New Xilo!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Give him some time to settle in, he should come around in a few days.

He's readily accepting frozen bloodworms, but that's it at the moment. Refuses to eat pellets (sinking or floating). I'm glad he's eating a bit, but don't want him to get in a pattern of only eating bloodworms (I've read this can be a difficult habit to break). Tips?
 
My tip would be to stop feeding frozen BW's.

Trust me, Jeff didn't raise that fish on BW's, he feeds pellets.
Give the fish a few days to settle in, then try feeding pellets in the AM when the fish will be most hungry. Eventually he will come around.

If he's really stubborn, and in a week still isn't eating, you can presoak the pellets in the frozen BW liquid. That should trigger a feed response.
 
My tip would be to stop feeding frozen BW's.

Trust me, Jeff didn't raise that fish on BW's, he feeds pellets.
Give the fish a few days to settle in, then try feeding pellets in the AM when the fish will be most hungry. Eventually he will come around.

If he's really stubborn, and in a week still isn't eating, you can presoak the pellets in the frozen BW liquid. That should trigger a feed response.

Thanks for the advice. I kind of wish I knew which pellets he was raised on.
 
Probably a bulk feed. It really doesn't matter, eventually you will be able to convert him to whatever brand you want. Just be patient, you just got the fish & he needs to acclimatize to his new surroundings, which could take a few days, or a few weeks.
 
I have yet to come across a fish I couldn't get on NLS. I have WC Heckel Discus, P. Liopoldii and Peruvian Sclare eating NLS Thera A+. The RD in my avatar has been raised fom 2" on NLS, alonge with every other fish I own eating it. It comes down to a battle of wills and we have the upper hand. No more blood worms, don't feed it for a few days and offer the pellets. If it still doesn't want to eat them wait a couple of more days and try again. I healty fish isn't going to starve itself to death when food is available.
 
It depends on the fish, but 6mm is pretty hefty in size for any amph under 12". They might be able to get it into their mouth, and eat it, but it will take a lot of chewing which ends up as a lot of wasted food.

IME you would be better off training him to eat either the 3mm sinking, or the 4.5mm floating. Your male would be able to eat either/or at his current size. If you presoak in frozen BW juice it will help him get started. You could do the same with the 6mm, but it might get a bit messy. Your call.
 
There you go. :)

Make sure to post some updated pics of this male down the road.
 
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