Mad Max the GATF and Chicxulub's other ATF

[Adamson]

He wasn't pellet trained until 6" correct?

 

[johnnytaboo]

Hmmm. Missed that in the commentary. Thanks Max. Maybe that's why his coloring is so nice.

 

[Slippery K]

Wow, Mad Max is looking good. Hes definitely a beauty and a beast haha

 

[Chicxulub]

Thanks for the compliments everyone! His tail is my favorite part of him.

John, he started eating pellets reliably at about 4-4.5 inches. It took a couple of months to get him to eat them. Had he started taking them earlier, I believe he would be well over a foot long by now.

 

[Slippery K]

Every time I see a Tiger fish now I think "oooh chicx would like this" lol

 

[Chicxulub]

Every time I see a Tiger fish now I think "oooh chicx would like this" lol

That IS the truth! lol

 

[Adamson]

I think it's really impressive that you were able to pellet train this guy, along with allow your fish for that matter.
Is there a slow sinking pellet you would recommend for weening ATFs off live? I know you use the hikari sticks, they are just kind of hard to find and a bit spendy when I do.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Chicxulub]

I think it's really impressive that you were able to pellet train this guy, along with allow your fish for that matter.
Is there a slow sinking pellet you would recommend for weening ATFs off live? I know you use the hikari sticks, they are just kind of hard to find and a bit spendy when I do.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

I don't know of any other pellets that consistently work. The reason the tigers take Jumbo Carnisticks with such enthusiasm is the texture; they absorb water and take on a soft, spongy consistency that feels to the fish like biting a feeder fish. ATF and payaras and similar characins are fairly unique among teleosts in that they actually bite their food. The vast majority of teleosts are suction feeders. It makes no difference to them if they're biting a soft pellet or a hard pellet. If an ATF bites something that feels like biting a rock, like a cichlid pellet for example, they're going to spit it out. The sensation of biting something soft tells the ATF to eat it. If he bites a legitimate food item that feels like something that's not food, he won't eat it. The texture of what you feed the is extremely important.

 

[duggan]

Thats sweet i like the close up pictures of the teeth haha. Hows the build going on that 500 gallon?

 

[johnny potatoes]

Very nice fish Chicx!