Training dats to take pellets using Starve method

[batang_mcdo]

I'm trying to train my new Dat to take pellets.
my other dats do take pellets, but I've trained them by tricking them, dropping beefheart them massivore ontil they are tricked into swallowing the massivore, they now also take Hikari cichlid gold pellets.

only 1 of my dats was trained using starve method and this was becuase i kept them in the sump and totally neglected them. one died i think because of lack of food, the other which survived is now quite big.

but i just got myself a new dat, i placed him in my dat , clown loach and severum tank.

not sure if starve method will work for him? he doesnt seem to know pellets are food, and pelets disappear right away in my comm.


i've tried stuffing the pellets into fish and mashing and he does take it. but i'm too busy and dont have time to keep this up. anybody has had success with training in community tank full of pellet eating fish?

 

[eddiegunks]

He will learn from the other fish.

 

[batang_mcdo]

Thanks , so far he took the pwlleta into his mouth chewed a few times and then spat it out, ill try a few more days to starve him and tey to get him to take pellets, if he doesnt learn ill return him to the comm .

 

[batang_mcdo]

up up new dat still stubborn

 

[Pomatomus]

It's funny that you used beef heart to trick your dats because I did something similar with mine. I got him to eat frozen krill, then dried krill, then Tetra Jumbomin sticks (like massivore but more orange). I did it slowly over the course of a few weeks. It was really easy! I tried starving him first but after about 10 days I got concerned and tried this trick.

 

[batang_mcdo]

It's funny that you used beef heart to trick your dats because I did something similar with mine. I got him to eat frozen krill, then dried krill, then Tetra Jumbomin sticks (like massivore but more orange). I did it slowly over the course of a few weeks. It was really easy! I tried starving him first but after about 10 days I got concerned and tried this trick.

used beefheart for my other ones, but have not been able to buy beefheart again yet.
so far this piece really stubborn when he knows its pellets he ignores it.
Planning to put him back into the comm and let him compete with the others for feed.

 

[eeJamBOYan]

What other species are in the tank with the Dat and what size is he?

 

[batang_mcdo]

i have 2 othew dats (another IT and one NGT) , both already take pellets.
6 red severums. 20 Clown loaches size ranging from 5-8 inches.
1 pike cichlid

the It i'm trying to train is about 5 inches.

 

[FunWow!]

It will learn from the other fish but he’s got to come out to see them eating them. I’ve had plenty go to pellets watching others eat and by starving them but if they get to skinny I’ll feed bloodworms and get it eating that as a substitute until in breaks to pellets. Some can take forever

 

[batang_mcdo]

It will learn from the other fish but he’s got to come out to see them eating them. I’ve had plenty go to pellets watching others eat and by starving them but if they get to skinny I’ll feed bloodworms and get it eating that as a substitute until in breaks to pellets. Some can take forever

thanks!! he's been getting shrimps for the past few days as i ran out of pellets .
he does come to the front of the tank to beg for food.