Feeding Bichir

[ChilliPepper]

I bought my first Polypterus yesterday, a 3" Ornate Bichir. He's in my old tank for now, will go in new tank Saturday.

I am just wondering what sort of food he will like, and how to make sure he gets some as I have greedy cichlids

The fish currently get a mixture of Hikari Staple, Gold, Micro Wafers and Algae Wafers, as well as Tetra Doromin Cichlid pellets. They also get frozen bloodworm and cichlid mix once a week.

Basically everyone has a bit of everything, but my Plec just eats the Algae Wafers (if he gets the chance), being a herbivore.

I know the Bichirs are nocturnal, so would it be best to feed him last thing at night, with lights off, at first? What sort of food do they find really tasty? Prawn? Would they eat bits of cooked chicken, beef etc?

 

[gasmask]

I have a huge collection of Polypterus, and with EVERY one that I own I did the same ritual:

As Juvi I have them in a grow out tank and feed only frozen bloodworms and small bits of beefheart.
As they put on a little bulk I cut out the bloodworms and beefheart, pump the temp up and only put pellets in at night.
whatever is left in the morning is taken out.

This is repeated every night untill pellets are taken.
I then lower back the heat and pump them up on massivore pellets untill they are big enough to go in with the big boys.

The big boys get a mix of Massivore, Shrimp, silversides and other seafood.

I never feed any of my Polys on live food. (other than the occasional worm as a treat)

Hope that helps.

 

[synodontisjack]

Very good advice from gasmask but if you have a really stuborn fish which refuses too eat try crushing garlic, putting it in water than soaking your pellets, lancefish, prawns or whatever in this for half and hour or so, the strong scent of the garlic really appeals too the poly's which hunt mostly by smell and makes it easier for them to find the food.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks for your advice, I appreciate it as a newbie keeper.

How long do the Ornates take to grow, as I was going to put him straight into my large tank. I still have my 190L, but really want to sell it a.s.a.p to recover some costs from the new tank.

I've got some large pieces of knarly wood, so plenty of places to hide, hopefully he'll feel secure enough to come out.

I wondered if I could target feed him by giving him some bloodworm in a pipette, then squirting it near him?

I could get some prawns for him, no problem. Regarding the garlic, will that affect the other fish at all or will they not mind it?

 

[synodontisjack]

Thanks for your advice, I appreciate it as a newbie keeper.

How long do the Ornates take to grow, as I was going to put him straight into my large tank. I still have my 190L, but really want to sell it a.s.a.p to recover some costs from the new tank.

I've got some large pieces of knarly wood, so plenty of places to hide, hopefully he'll feel secure enough to come out.

I wondered if I could target feed him by giving him some bloodworm in a pipette, then squirting it near him?

I could get some prawns for him, no problem. Regarding the garlic, will that affect the other fish at all or will they not mind it?

I've found ornates too be one of the slowest growing poly's, if yours feeds well it should be around 12" within a year but there are always exceptions.
Garlic shouldn't affect the other fish, unless you use huge amounts, just 1 clove should be enough.

 

[always4lora]

My ornate was about 2-3inch when i got it around xmas, now its about 6-8inch and getting beefy! Mine just ate bits of prawn and then started to eat massivore when i only fed them that.

Gasmask, why put the tempterature up ? Does it make them more hunry ?

 

[synodontisjack]

bumping the temp raises metabolism thus making them eat more and grow faster.

 

[always4lora]

bumping the temp raises metabolism thus making them eat more and grow faster.

Ahh cool didn't realise that!

 

[gasmask]

Yup, the higher temp raises the metabolism.
This means you MUST feed more other wise they will burn the food off to quickly.

and remember to raise the temperature VERY slowly. Once you are sure they have taken to food (hopefully pellets) you can start to gradually lower the temp again.
Once the realize the pellets are food and tasty you are sorted.