RE: Feeding my Ornate

[balton777]

My Ornate is about 8" and is the only one I have in the tank with cichlids. She hides most of the time and doesn't come out to eat with the cichlids. I guess they're nocturnal feeders?? Last night, her first night in the tank, I waited until all the lights were going off and dropped in some mysis shrimp for her. I don't even know if she ate any or not. Is this what you guys do? Or should I force her to learn to eat when all the fish are feeding? Is she just shy right now cuz she's new to the tank?

 

[is300zx]

It's still trying to settle in. Also most ornates tend to hide a lot and only come out at nights. They start to come out more when they get bigger and when they are more comfortable with their surroundings. Don't be alarmed if it doesn't eat for the next few days. Bichirs tend to go on hunger strikes when they first go in the tanks. Keep trying to feed it at night and see if the food is gone the next morning. You can also try feeding it during the day when you feed the cichlids once you know it's eating already.

 

[ethnics]

my ornate didnt start eating regularly til a few weeks ago and i've had her for over 4 months already.. when its hungry enough it'll dig around for food or scraps, or ur cichlids that are small enough to eat. mines a pig now