I would like to caveat to my "use floating pellets" statement.
I recently got a PM from one of the several members who is trying to use this method right now. The individual brought up a great point that I wish to address. I'm paraphrasing his question here: "My ATF will bite the Massivore, but always spits them back out".
I feel that not only is using floating pellets important, but it is important to use the right pellets. I have used Hikari Jumbo Carnisticks now for a long time with fantastic success with my tigers. The reason for this success is because once the tigers bite it, they will readily eat it. They eat it because Hikari Carnisticks are unique in the fact that they're formulated to quickly absorb water and take on a soft, spongy consistency that makes the predator biting them feel like its biting into a fish. Offering hard pellets to your toothy little tiger who actually bites his food will feel to the fish like he's biting a rock, and he will resist eating them. Other large predators who will take the hard pellets like Cichla and most catfish use a suction feeding method where they suck food quickly into their mouth (<--click), and as such texture isn't nearly as important.
In summary, I feel that Hikari Carnisticks and any other floating pellet that will consistently maintain a spongy texture are important to getting your ATF on pellets. Hard pellets like Cichlid Gold will make your life difficult indeed.
I recently got a PM from one of the several members who is trying to use this method right now. The individual brought up a great point that I wish to address. I'm paraphrasing his question here: "My ATF will bite the Massivore, but always spits them back out".
I feel that not only is using floating pellets important, but it is important to use the right pellets. I have used Hikari Jumbo Carnisticks now for a long time with fantastic success with my tigers. The reason for this success is because once the tigers bite it, they will readily eat it. They eat it because Hikari Carnisticks are unique in the fact that they're formulated to quickly absorb water and take on a soft, spongy consistency that makes the predator biting them feel like its biting into a fish. Offering hard pellets to your toothy little tiger who actually bites his food will feel to the fish like he's biting a rock, and he will resist eating them. Other large predators who will take the hard pellets like Cichla and most catfish use a suction feeding method where they suck food quickly into their mouth (<--click), and as such texture isn't nearly as important.
In summary, I feel that Hikari Carnisticks and any other floating pellet that will consistently maintain a spongy texture are important to getting your ATF on pellets. Hard pellets like Cichlid Gold will make your life difficult indeed.
