Ornate Bichir Diet

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I do try to feed more once the lights are dimmed. They are certainly more active then. It's just interesting that of all the things I've put in (worms, maggots, crickets, shrimp (both live and frozen), chopped fish, cichlid pellets and algae wafers), it's the algae wafers they seem to love the most!
Thats really interesting, they usually just try the algae wafers but they dont really make it a staple food, since polys are carnivore its really unusual for them to become tottaly vegetarian.
 
That is what I thought!

I usually put in about a dozen wafers for gibbiceps, bristlenose and otocinclus, but unfailingly the bichirs come and eat them all. They skulk out of the bogwood/rock structures, inhale a wafer, slink back in. And then repeat. 12 times!
 
That is what I thought!

I usually put in about a dozen wafers for gibbiceps, bristlenose and otocinclus, but unfailingly the bichirs come and eat them all. They skulk out of the bogwood/rock structures, inhale a wafer, slink back in. And then repeat. 12 times!
Thats really weird, have you tried to offer frozen tilapia fillet or a hikari massivore? If they are still under 8" try hikari sinking carnivore pellets
 
I haven't - I've only had them for a couple of months, so they are still a little new to me. The cichlid pellets I put in are very meaty and sink rapidly. They aren't that interested though. Once I'm back from Christmas away, I'll make a concerted effort to get them eating something more suitable. At the moment, I'm just pleased that they are eating something with gusto!
 
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I haven't - I've only had them for a couple of months, so they are still a little new to me. The cichlid pellets I put in are very meaty and sink rapidly. They aren't that interested though. Once I'm back from Christmas away, I'll make a concerted effort to get them eating something more suitable. At the moment, I'm just pleased that they are eating something with gusto!
Try to feed them tilapia fillet and see if it will trigger their appitite, good luck with the ornate:)
 
I think the jags nd oscar will be an issue long term. Gonna be tough to get them proper nutrition with those guys. Never had a jag but i assume they will go for the tilapia
 
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I do try to feed more once the lights are dimmed. They are certainly more active then. It's just interesting that of all the things I've put in (worms, maggots, crickets, shrimp (both live and frozen), chopped fish, cichlid pellets and algae wafers), it's the algae wafers they seem to love the most!

That's great you are offering a variety. I need to expand my food choices. what type of algae wafers are you feeding them?

Also, I am new to ornate bichirs and bichirs and general. Just recently started feeding mine small cubes of frozen tilapia and he loves it! Good luck!:)
 
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That's great you are offering a variety. I need to expand my food choices. what type of algae wafers are you feeding them?

Also, I am new to ornate bichirs and bichirs and general. Just recently started feeding mine small cubes of frozen tilapia and he loves it! Good luck!:)
I'd be very hesitant feeding polys algae wafers at all...I'm no expert but a mainly predatory fish shouldn't be eating plant matter regularly. My assumption would be the algae wafers smell good to them, maybe the recipe has krill or something in it, which in turn causes them consume them. Stick with tilapia and carnivore-oriented pellets.
 
Most algae wafer ingredient list likely has a fish type meal as the main base item and likely a bunch of filler/binder material and then algae far down the list. Since our captive polys do not get gut loaded insects and fish which would have a lot of theses plant based proteins in them. I really don't think the algae wafers are doing to hurt them if included in a mixed diet with other items.
 
I'd be very hesitant feeding polys algae wafers at all...I'm no expert but a mainly predatory fish shouldn't be eating plant matter regularly. My assumption would be the algae wafers smell good to them, maybe the recipe has krill or something in it, which in turn causes them consume them. Stick with tilapia and carnivore-oriented pellets.
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