Picky Tig

[MHcblues119]

So this isn't my first Tig, i have probably had 3-4 by now. But I have a 10-11 in Tig that I can't get to eat a damnn thing. I have never had issues getting a fish to take prepared foods. But it's now been 2-3 months and I have starved it for up to 3 weeks at a time and tried everything.

I have tried feeding at anytime of the day/night. Iv tried pellets, tilapia, silversides, earth worms, black worms, krill.

All he will take is feeders. And when I do give him feeders which is about 15 feeders every 2 weeks. He'll finish them in w night. Than i go back to starving him for another round.

Anyone have any secrets to get picky tigs to take on anything??

Thanks for any help in advanced

George

 

[UnstoppableJayD]

instead of feeders get ghost shrimp.. then after that used frozen krill.

 

[Woefulrelic]

I haven't tried it but you could probably try tilapia on fishing line, that's one of my meta strats anyway. I think some fish have a hard time building interest in things that don't move in defense, and all you really gotta do it tempt him into taking it the first time. The hardest part about replicating feeders is that the tig has time to take them out, and when you're not present. The only fish I've had are hard to get to eat as opposed as hard get to eat other stuff so i don't have any experience. I'm just trying to get someone to test it out for me.

 

[wednesday13]

use feeders off a set of 27" tongs... one feeder at a time, once a day. once hes used 2 hitting the stick switch the feeder to a piece of cut fish/shrimp/silverside.... after a month or so u should b able to just drop the cut fish by his head or hand feed... my 22" tig is still high matinence, if i dont drop his cut fish close enough hes too lazy/confused 2 go find it so i get the tongs out and move it into his range. ive used this method for picky marine sharks also.. they usually take to the tongs pretty quick. u may have a couple days/times where ur fish will not accept, repetition is key... goodluck!

 

[Chicxulub]

A bunch of really good ideas in this thread. I definitely learned something today lol

It's a long shot, but have you thought about treating the tig for parasites? I've had picky eaters come around and tear it up after being cleaned out.

 

[MHcblues119]

A bunch of really good ideas in this thread. I definitely learned something today lol

It's a long shot, but have you thought about treating the tig for parasites? I've had picky eaters come around and tear it up after being cleaned out.

I have not thought about treating for parasites. I suppose that could be an option thought!!

use feeders off a set of 27" tongs... one feeder at a time, once a day. once hes used 2 hitting the stick switch the feeder to a piece of cut fish/shrimp/silverside.... after a month or so u should b able to just drop the cut fish by his head or hand feed... my 22" tig is still high matinence, if i dont drop his cut fish close enough hes too lazy/confused 2 go find it so i get the tongs out and move it into his range. ive used this method for picky marine sharks also.. they usually take to the tongs pretty quick. u may have a couple days/times where ur fish will not accept, repetition is key... goodluck!

This is the way I train most my other fish to eat prepared foods. Once they associate food with the tongs they will start eating everything that enters the water held by tongs.
Ihave been trying to feed the Tig with tongs. But I have not fed him goldfish off the tongs yet. I will try that.

Thanks for all the great ideas and input guys!

 

[rlane]

I have a 14-15" tig now which is going great but I can't get him to eat pellets to save my life. My buddy has had 5 of them and all 5 ate pellets basically right away. Who knows why but I think that some fish can just be stubborn.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Good ideas above I've learned too.

I've fasted my juruense cats 4-6 months and jiggled a thawed fish on a thread and they took it: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/getting-my-jurs-off-live-guppies.514580/