Is it possible for a Senegal to eat himself to death?
I have a little 2.75 inch P. Senegal that I acquired recently. He is in a 30G with an African Butterflyfish (3.75") and 2 Violet Gobies (9" & 10"). Today was the first time since he has been in this tank that I have fed them live feeder guppies. I tend to get them about once every other week for a nice treat. The butterflyflish as usual grabbed the first one or 2 put in the tank and was patrolling for any others stupid enough to go back up to the top of the tank.
My shock came when I saw the Senegal finishing up a medium sized (.6") and within 45 seconds had grabbed the biggest one in the tank (1.1")! I watched with fascination as he tried and tried to get the fish down his throat. He flipped it end for end and tried for about 10 minutes to consume his prey... to no avail, it just wouldnt fit. To make a long story short (too late?), he ended up eating FOUR of these guppies that had a combined length greater than his own! yeah they are a lot smaller than he is, but still. it just seemed like a LOT for the little guy to eat. Is this normal behavior for Polys? I mean he looks very pregnant at the moment from his gluttony...
OH! Yes I know I will have to move him to a bigger tank when he gets a bit bigger, but for now everyone seems very happy.
I have a little 2.75 inch P. Senegal that I acquired recently. He is in a 30G with an African Butterflyfish (3.75") and 2 Violet Gobies (9" & 10"). Today was the first time since he has been in this tank that I have fed them live feeder guppies. I tend to get them about once every other week for a nice treat. The butterflyflish as usual grabbed the first one or 2 put in the tank and was patrolling for any others stupid enough to go back up to the top of the tank.
My shock came when I saw the Senegal finishing up a medium sized (.6") and within 45 seconds had grabbed the biggest one in the tank (1.1")! I watched with fascination as he tried and tried to get the fish down his throat. He flipped it end for end and tried for about 10 minutes to consume his prey... to no avail, it just wouldnt fit. To make a long story short (too late?), he ended up eating FOUR of these guppies that had a combined length greater than his own! yeah they are a lot smaller than he is, but still. it just seemed like a LOT for the little guy to eat. Is this normal behavior for Polys? I mean he looks very pregnant at the moment from his gluttony...
OH! Yes I know I will have to move him to a bigger tank when he gets a bit bigger, but for now everyone seems very happy.
