Feeding Tiny Datniodes

[the_evil_duboisi]

Recently there seems to be a population explosion of tiny(1~2inch) datniodes around here. I'm not sure what kind, but the reason is because they have bad barring, but that I don't care. They are healthy, and cute!

However, I've always been hesistant to buy datniodes themselves because of their supposed picky appetites, not to mention their price. But these recent ones are small, reasonably priced, and eagerly eating bloodworms.

But I know they can't eat bloodworms forever, and wish I could switch them to a healthier diet quickly. Do you think it's possible? Or do the tiny dats need some growing out before it's to be attempted? I thought I once read predatory fish are more flexible in their tastes when young?

 

[miss.Original]

Sorry, this has nothing to do with your question, but, do you have any pictures? lol

 

[always4lora]

I'd find out what species it is first, theres a brackish species and it's best to double check you dont have that first

As suggested to be me previously , try soaking pellets in bloodworm and feed them for a wile eventually having less and less bloodworm

 

[the_evil_duboisi]

Thanks for the quick replies.

The species are called "three-banded" which I don't know what exact species. But due to the fact the shop, and the people who buy them, keep them in freshwater with no ill-effects, I'm inclined to think one of the freshwater species

And no, I haven't bought any yet, I'm posting this before I make any plunges into the world of dats

Also speaking of soaking....I heard about these "taste enhancers" where you soak the food in them, and the fish supposedly like them more. Does this work?

 

[miss.Original]

Oh, alright, well if you do end up buying some then you should definitely take some pictures

 

[the_evil_duboisi]

I've only seens them in pictures and videos; and I tell you, they're tiny! Their bodies have that slight transparency typical of young fish, and when they feed....I didn't know dats did that! Swarming! All I had ever seen was stalk!

Their appeal is very powerful....But it would be completely sad if I couldn't get them to feed well. In my case, the first priority whether I should even BUY the fish is seeing if I can feed it easily. If not, nope. Truely, I admit peacock bass are beautiful, but their dietary requirements make me stay away from them. Bottom line: I like fish that eat well

 

[nmonks]

I didn't know dats did that! Swarming! All I had ever seen was stalk!

Only juveniles are gregarious; subadults and juveniles are territorial, in the case of some species aggressively so.

In my case, the first priority whether I should even BUY the fish is seeing if I can feed it easily.

Three-striped tigerfish are likely to be Datnioides microlepis, a true freshwater species (though soft water must be avoided). The brackish water species are Datnioides campbelli and Datnioides polota (= D. quadrifasciatus), so those are the ones to check your specimens against.

Generally speaking Datnioides have no interest at all in dried or freeze-dried foods, so you will almost always end up feeding them either live foods or wet-frozen foods. For reasons that have been discussed ad nauseum, "feeder fish" from pet stores are neither safe, healthy, nor ethical, but you should be fine using river shrimps and earthworms until your Datnioides is weaned onto wet-frozen foods. Competent aquarists have no problems getting them hand-tame, and that's the best way to ensure they're getting food in proper amounts if they're living with other, more aggressive fish. If these Datnioides are really small, so much the better. Start them off with brine shrimp and mosquito larvae, and then mix in some wet-frozen substitutes, and then they should take minced tilapia and seafood without the least hesitation.

Cheers, Neale

 

[the_evil_duboisi]

Thanks Neale!

So I guess weaning is possible, but not in the way I imagined. Oh well...

By the way, do dats like freeze-dried krill?

 

[nmonks]

Not usually. There are some people who've managed to get Datnioides onto freeze-dried foods and even good quality carnivore pellets. But it isn't common*, and certainly shouldn't be banked on. Assume you'll need to use live or wet-frozen foods, and if they happen to take pellets or flake, that's a bonus.

I'm not a huge fan of freeze-dried foods for two reasons. Firstly, they're wildly expensive for what they are. Secondly, there does seem to be a connection between overuse of freeze-dried foods and constipation in fish, particularly large fish.

Cheers, Neale

* Often carnivores are better at taking dried food if they see other fishes eating the stuff, but keeping Datnioides in community tanks isn't easy since they're so big, and housing just one is pretty expensive.

By the way, do dats like freeze-dried krill?

 

[always4lora]

I can't see any reason why they wouldn't take pellets if they're not offerd an awfull lot else. I've done it with mine so far and the only thing not to eat pellets is the tire track eel i had. My Florida gar's are only a few inches are taking pellets already. I just put them near the outlet to the filter so they move in the water and the fish happily take them.

 

[nmonks]

I can't see any reason why they wouldn't take pellets if they're not offerd an awfull lot else.

I didn't say they won't take pellets; merely that there's no reason to assume that they will. Lots of experienced fishkeepers have never managed to get their Datnioides specimens to take pellets. I can't recommend people buy fish like these assuming that the fish will eat pellets; if you're wrong, the fish starves to death. Much better to assume the reverse, and then get pleasantly surprised.

I've done it with mine so far and the only thing not to eat pellets is the tire track eel i had. My Florida gar's are only a few inches are taking pellets already. I just put them near the outlet to the filter so they move in the water and the fish happily take them.

Mastacembelus never take dry foods, so attempting to get them to do so is pointless. Gar will eat anything. Mine liked Hikari Cichlid Gold. On the other hand, I have bleeding heart tetras that spit out flake food, and only take live or wet-frozen foods. Perhaps I spoiled them! I really don't use flake very much except for livebearers.

Cheers, Neale

 

[the_evil_duboisi]

Okay. Thanks!!