I am currently trying to train my pickerel to eat pellets.. I have him consistently eating red worms, but he doesn't show much interest in anything else. He is not by any means skittish, but he won't eat the worms handfed.. He usually watches them in my hand and then once they hit bottom, he'll gobble it up. Any advice from any successful pickerel trainers?
Pickerel onto pellets
- Thread starter iHonesty
- Start date
I haven't seen many people be able to get pickeral onto pellets. Normally they are very stubborn and only want Live
Well luckily mine was one of a few pickerel that was tank bred. I got it from mr. Catfish after his spawned in aquaria. That will benefit this process. I handfed him for the first time last night, I've only had him for 3 days! Haha I guess it will be hard to find advice on this topic... This pickerel will not be eating feeders. Ever.
There are many fish that are ambush predators by nature that I've seen pellet trained. Take pike cichlids for example, ambush predators by nature, and they are easily pellet trained. Pickerel are tough to pellet train, but it is possible.
understandable but pike cichlids can adapt , pickerel are specialized in eating live food only and are not as intelligent as a cichlid..
they are specialized for catching other fish, yes. However, since I handfeed him worms..he's beginning to understand the concept and associate me with food. That's about as intelligent as a fish would need to be to eat pellets. That and the fact that the pickerel will eat worms kinda disproves its specialization for catching fish as well. Its alive, yes, but natural- no.
Mine will eat freeze dried krill as soon as it hits the surface of the water. If it sits for any length of time, it is ignored.
i never said they were specialized in just eating fish.. i said live or injured ..and worms are a natural source of food for fish some worms get washed down streams after a rain storm.. also if you achieve your goal i would love to see a video..