Frozen Silversides?

[LimaGolf]

I recently started feeding frozen Silversides to my baby RBP, as a cheap way of adding variety to his diet.

Problem is he won't do anything but nibble on them and I usually end up throwing out at least 50% of what I put in the tank.

I even tried suspending the unlive feeders from a string so at least they would move around a bit. My P seems too smart for that though, I can't seem to trick him into thinking it's a live feeder.

Anyone using the frozen stuff with similar problems/solutions, your input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

LG

 

[Joshy]

I recon the same advice will be said all round:

Let the piranhas ‘starve’ for a few days. If you’re feeding once a day, resist feeding them for 3 days then offer them what they will not eat. If they still refuse, leave it another 3 days and try again. Persistence and a hungry stomach will kick in their ‘eat anything editable’ instinct in most cases.

 

[PacosTacos87]

my babies did the same thing to frozen bloodworms. so i tried freeze dried bloodworms and soaked them in zoe. and i tried mosquito larva they loved them. how big are they?

 

[LimaGolf]

Let the piranhas ‘starve’ for a few days. If you’re feeding once a day, resist feeding them for 3 days then offer them what they will not eat. If they still refuse, leave it another 3 days and try again. Persistence and a hungry stomach will kick in their ‘eat anything editable’ instinct in most cases.

Thanks, I was thinking of that but not sure if I should....I hate starving him. I guess it's not a bad idea though. This frozen stuff is only a temporary measure anyway until my feeder system is stocked and hopefully self sufficient.

....and soaked them in zoe....... how big are they?

What is zoe?

Only have one and he's approx. 3 inches.

Thanks

 

[Aquaman Imports]

i actually had this problem many moons ago i did the same thing you mentiond, put them on a string and let them chase it by the end of first month i just put em on a string and hung them in the tank, if you dont feed your fish and raise the temp a little it will up thier metabolism and cause them to eat more also a powerhead can be great to burn energy and get thier hunger up. make sure you let them soak or rinse them though (silversides) they can really be oily and if uneaten can pollute your water bad, hops this helps!

 

[PacosTacos87]

its like a liquid i bought it at the pet shop its so u can soak any food u feed them(frozen or live) and it puts flavors and smells they go crazy for it and it puts vitiams and stuff like that. they make differnt flavors and stuff

 

[LimaGolf]

...make sure you let them soak or rinse them though (silversides) they can really be oily and if uneaten can pollute your water bad, hops this helps!

I noticed this after a week of trying to feed the silversides, I got an Ammonia spike in the tank.

I'm trying the starvation method right now and hopefully he'll be eating them up. I'll be rinsing them from now on.

 

[santoury]

When you say "baby" I envision the tiny 1 inch babies... A silverside is what, 3 4 inches. The piranha is obviously eating his fill, and leaving the rest. That goes for any fish.

I've raised shoals of these, and they go crazy over flake food at this size.

 

[LimaGolf]

He's actually 3+ inches. To me he's still a baby.

If I were to put live feeders in the tank, full grown Mollies for example, he can easily eat 2 - 3 of those in one night.

I wish he still liked flake food. I can't get him to eat flakes or bloodworm anymore. He doesn't really care for unlive feeders either, but he's not getting much of a choice in the matter.

Until my live feeder setup is complete and self sufficient he'll be getting the silversides, as part of his meals.

 

[Miguel]

let the piranhas starve.. I have Piraya, a big one, who went for nearly 2 months without eating. only wanted live.. now she gulps everything..silversides incl.