BigWave
05-10-2013, 11:25 AM
I think I need to give some background before I get to the real question:
About 3 weeks ago I got a batch of healthy discus from one of the sponsors here. 12 fish total, with the two smallest being 2" Golden Lollipops. I had been warned they were eating fine now, but had a bit of a hard transition from earlier shipping, and so I placed them in a 40 breeder by themselves to try and get them fattened up. They are also quite a bit smaller than the other fish I ordered. The other 10 are in my 180. Temp about 82 in each tank.
For a while in the 40 both were best buds. I would cut up and stick two small bits of FDBW on the glass, and each would get one. They ate flakes and small pellets, and both seemed to be doing well.
Fast forward a week and one of the two became dominant, ate more and got a little bigger than the other. The smaller one was chased and kept from the food, as you would expect. I kinda knew this might happen, so I moved the aggressor out into the 180, where he is holding his own just fine! Also just a side note he is a very pretty fish! The largest fish in the 180 is 4.5" most are about 3"-3.5".
Now alone in the 40 my smallest fish seems scared, and isn't really eating. Even frozen bloodworms didn't get a reaction last night. Stomach doesn't look sunken, so it is still eating a bit I assume, but just generally doesn't look good. As I type this I wish I had taken a picture last night, but I did not. I will try and get one tonight.
Anyway since this is my first batch that I am trying to care for correctly, I would like the opinion of you who have more experience.
THE ACTUAL QUESTION: Should I move the little guy in with everyone else, so he can see them eat, and follow their example? Or do I leave him isolated and just keep feeding small portions and hope he starts eating well? How long should I try and wait out this little guy?
Supplemental info: 40 breeder gets about %50 WC daily. 180 is about the same, but it is on an automatic water-change system. I feed various flakes and pellets through the day, and FDBW 1 time daily Tues-Fri, 2 times daily Sat-Mon. Home made Beef-heart on occasion, and Frozen Bloodworms occasionally as well (not often though because I am alergic to them and have to wear gloves when handling them!).
Thanks for taking the time to read the long post. And thanks for your opinion regarding moving him or leaving him.
About 3 weeks ago I got a batch of healthy discus from one of the sponsors here. 12 fish total, with the two smallest being 2" Golden Lollipops. I had been warned they were eating fine now, but had a bit of a hard transition from earlier shipping, and so I placed them in a 40 breeder by themselves to try and get them fattened up. They are also quite a bit smaller than the other fish I ordered. The other 10 are in my 180. Temp about 82 in each tank.
For a while in the 40 both were best buds. I would cut up and stick two small bits of FDBW on the glass, and each would get one. They ate flakes and small pellets, and both seemed to be doing well.
Fast forward a week and one of the two became dominant, ate more and got a little bigger than the other. The smaller one was chased and kept from the food, as you would expect. I kinda knew this might happen, so I moved the aggressor out into the 180, where he is holding his own just fine! Also just a side note he is a very pretty fish! The largest fish in the 180 is 4.5" most are about 3"-3.5".
Now alone in the 40 my smallest fish seems scared, and isn't really eating. Even frozen bloodworms didn't get a reaction last night. Stomach doesn't look sunken, so it is still eating a bit I assume, but just generally doesn't look good. As I type this I wish I had taken a picture last night, but I did not. I will try and get one tonight.
Anyway since this is my first batch that I am trying to care for correctly, I would like the opinion of you who have more experience.
THE ACTUAL QUESTION: Should I move the little guy in with everyone else, so he can see them eat, and follow their example? Or do I leave him isolated and just keep feeding small portions and hope he starts eating well? How long should I try and wait out this little guy?
Supplemental info: 40 breeder gets about %50 WC daily. 180 is about the same, but it is on an automatic water-change system. I feed various flakes and pellets through the day, and FDBW 1 time daily Tues-Fri, 2 times daily Sat-Mon. Home made Beef-heart on occasion, and Frozen Bloodworms occasionally as well (not often though because I am alergic to them and have to wear gloves when handling them!).
Thanks for taking the time to read the long post. And thanks for your opinion regarding moving him or leaving him.