Tigrinus behavior

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
They may or may not stay in the same tank for too long. It seems I really messed up the balance and behavior of my fish with the 2 latest additions. The tig has my tsn in fits now. After I turn the lights off the tsn now swim at all levels up high along the glass and the tig stays in his cave for the most part. Its weird to see a catfish swimming with the bass. I also added a 7 inch Temensis bass to go with the 3 similar sized kelberi I have in the tank. Unfortunately I neglected to ask what the temensis was eating until after I got home. I later learned that its still eating feeders. I decided to try the method described in the cichla forum to get it off live food but the kels always beat it to the feeders as I put them in and now they wont take pellets after one day of trying to work on the new guy. What a mess I made of my tank. I gotta get started on the big tank as soon as the weather warms up and I can clear out what will become my new office/fish room. Not sure what to do next but im starving these bass til they take pellets again and I may get another tank to move the temensis into to train it in solitary. Also learned my tsn are picky eaters. They love tilapia but wont touch tuna, flounder, or massivore pellets. Any suggestions?
 
So I've noticed my Tigrinus seems to be breathing heavy and opening and closing his mouth a lot. He's been eating bloodworms and tilapia fillets. Water parameters are good. I did a 50% water change after I noticed his issue today and also ended up with a large amount of small white worms swimming in the water after I refilled the tank. Assuming they are from over feeding the peacock bass in the tank. I'll try to post a video. Any help is appreciated.
 
Small white worms are typically planaria. You are correct that it is from overfeeding. I found it very easy to hand feed a tig as a baby. You might give it a try. I had two do it on the first try.
 
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