Right, so my BGK isn't eating so well. Occasionally he'll eat a bit of bloodworm, but there's no way he's taking it from my hands, so I have to drop some in and hope he eats all of it (which he never does). Basically, the bloodworm is making my tank water look like urine even despite the filter, which isn't nice. I tried earthworms the other day, and he practically pissed himself when I dropped it in, but then never ate it. My question is, will getting a greedy fish, say, an oscar encourage him to eat other foods? It would even be good if he just ate ALL of the bloodworm instead of leaving it floating around the tank for days.
Oscar as teacher fish for BGK?
- Thread starter CaveDweller
- Start date
Well, almost. I'd imagine the Oscar would eat all of what you add. Probably better off with a solid, but not gluttonous eater. Perhaps a convict or other smaller cichlid.
I would also give your knife a day or two without food. Hunger alone may do the trick.
I would also give your knife a day or two without food. Hunger alone may do the trick.
BODYDUB;4009071; said:
Yeah, but he's been like that since I got him. I get your point though.
knifegill;4008155; said:
Thanks. I have few angels in my community tank that are eating well, would they work?
make sure your feeding him initially at night when the lights go out, and give hi plenty of hiding spots.. more then you think he needs. sounds like he's not settling in for whatever reason and isn't happy in his tank yet. other then making sure your water tests well. Adding other fish likely won't help imo.. if he's eating.. but only picking at food.. he's aware of it.. he's just not comfortable imo. I would not add an Oscar.. but an Angel would likley be fine. you want to avoid anytrhing that would bully it potentially. also check it over closely for any signs of bacterial or fungal disease or parasites.
A fish that doesn't eat properly is either at discomfort or having some kind of illness. Does he seem healthy? What are the water values?
An oscar would be to risky in my opinion. Could easily kill the black ghost, get some smaller cichlids to make him fell secure but not eat all the food.
I absolutely do not believe that any fish will serve as a 'teacher' to show your BGK how to eat better...
I've kept Oscars adn BGKs together on several occasions as long term tankmates and have never had issues. I find that Cichlids tend to completely ignore BGKs unless they are breeding.
Have you ever thought that maybe your BGK is simply eating enough when you think it isn't? The one I have now is about 7 years old (all in my care)... I got rid of one a year or so ago I had for close to 5 years...
I would consider them scavengers as they prowl the botom of the tank and gobble up little left overs. From time to time mine have eaten pellets from the surface and a little more commonly sinking pellets when available... but all in all I see them eat very little yet they have fat bellies and grow to adult size rather quickly.
I've kept Oscars adn BGKs together on several occasions as long term tankmates and have never had issues. I find that Cichlids tend to completely ignore BGKs unless they are breeding.
Have you ever thought that maybe your BGK is simply eating enough when you think it isn't? The one I have now is about 7 years old (all in my care)... I got rid of one a year or so ago I had for close to 5 years...
I would consider them scavengers as they prowl the botom of the tank and gobble up little left overs. From time to time mine have eaten pellets from the surface and a little more commonly sinking pellets when available... but all in all I see them eat very little yet they have fat bellies and grow to adult size rather quickly.