Unexpected buttikoferi

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Omni663

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 15, 2012
81
0
0
Michigan
A few weeks ago I unexpectedly adopted a large buttikoferi. I was going into petco to get some more fish food for my goldfish when I noticed this fish stuck in a 15 gallon tank. There was writing on the tank stating that it was free to a home with a 2 dollar donation. I felt bad for the nearly 11" fish and asked the person working what the story with the fish was. He told me that a man had brought the fish in around a week ago and had told them very little other than that he was moving and could not keep the fish himself. I asked him if he knew anything about the fish such as what it would eat and correct water temperature and such. He told me straight out they had no idea about this fish and basically said they hoped somebody would take it before it died in the small tank they could spare for it. Well after hearing this I could not leave this poor fish in a Petco to die. I bought my fish food made a 2 dollar donation and went immediately home to begin cycling another tank.

So now I have this large fish in a 40 gallon tank that I know is not large enough for him. I tried 5 different kinds of fish food and also feeder fish and could not even interest him in a nibble. I started desperately searching to find something this fish would eat and found online some people will feed fish peas. Well as it turns out he loves nothing more than peas.

I am currently saving up to get him a larger tank and trying to find out as much information on keeping this fish that I have grown to love healthy and happy. So if anybody knows about these fish could you please give me some information on him.

*are peas alone enough for this fish to live on?

*how many peas should a fish this size eat a day?

*any ideas of other food he may like?

*what size tank would be appropriate for him?


any input would be much appreciated

thanks in advance
 
Omni663 said:
A few weeks ago I unexpectedly adopted a large buttikoferi. I was going into petco to get some more fish food for my goldfish when I noticed this fish stuck in a 15 gallon tank. There was writing on the tank stating that it was free to a home with a 2 dollar donation. I felt bad for the nearly 11" fish and asked the person working what the story with the fish was. He told me that a man had brought the fish in around a week ago and had told them very little other than that he was moving and could not keep the fish himself. I asked him if he knew anything about the fish such as what it would eat and correct water temperature and such. He told me straight out they had no idea about this fish and basically said they hoped somebody would take it before it died in the small tank they could spare for it. Well after hearing this I could not leave this poor fish in a Petco to die. I bought my fish food made a 2 dollar donation and went immediately home to begin cycling another tank.

So now I have this large fish in a 40 gallon tank that I know is not large enough for him. I tried 5 different kinds of fish food and also feeder fish and could not even interest him in a nibble. I started desperately searching to find something this fish would eat and found online some people will feed fish peas. Well as it turns out he loves nothing more than peas.

I am currently saving up to get him a larger tank and trying to find out as much information on keeping this fish that I have grown to love healthy and happy. So if anybody knows about these fish could you please give me some information on him.

*are peas alone enough for this fish to live on?

*how many peas should a fish this size eat a day?

*any ideas of other food he may like?

*what size tank would be appropriate for him?


any input would be much appreciated

thanks in advance
Click to expand...

A 75 or 90 gallon would be good for it. Mine loves all foods, try blood worms, brine shrimp or maybe a little beef heart. I don't think peas will be enough to sustain it alone but I don't know in that area


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Alright cool 75 to 90 is what I was figuring I would need. I will try to pick up some of these foods to try. have you had any luck with any type of pellets?
 
Try to get him on pellets, best for his health but keep supplementing with the peas and other things like bloodworms as others stated. From what I have heard Butti's can turn out to be great personable fish if housed right.

My favorite pellets are Hikari Cichlid Gold and Hikari Cichlid Staple, also I have heard that New Life Spectrum pellets are good too.
 
TankDempsey said:
Try to get him on pellets, best for his health but keep supplementing with the peas and other things like bloodworms as others stated. From what I have heard Butti's can turn out to be great personable fish if housed right.

My favorite pellets are Hikari Cichlid Gold and Hikari Cichlid Staple, also I have heard that New Life Spectrum pellets are good too.
Click to expand...

Yup agreed pellets are best for long term health. The foods I mentioned are to get it interested in eating. Have a pic of it?


Sent from my iPod touch using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
I would try pellets, krill, red wigglers, frozen bloodworms, and maybe some beefheart once in awhile. Peas are good to give fish they act as a laxative too.
 
i dont personally own a butti but i can help with some info on how to keep it. and for your feeding issues try starving the butti for a few days then introduce pellets. theres a link with info on buttikoferi .

http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Cichlid, Buttikoferi.htm
 
i dont personally own a butti but i can help with some info on how to keep it. and for your feeding issues try starving the butti for a few days then introduce pellets. theres a link with info on buttikoferi .

http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Cichlid, Buttikoferi.htm
 
Ya I find him to be a very interesting fish myself. He always seems to be digging himself a new home in the gravel in my tank.

I have a few pictures of him on my phone but I am not entirely sure how to post them or if I can even post pictures as a new member.
 
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