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Hello, I have just got two African Butterflys, Very stunning, anywho I was wondering if anyone else keeps these fish???

If so what do you give them for snacks?

They are a day old(from LFS) and still have not eaten, I've tryed bloodworms, flakes, and beef heart, they wont come out to eat.


Maybe a treat will get them out?

Thanks your help will be needed,
Angel Eel

LOL Maybe someone could help tell me where this post goes as well.....lol

Last edited by angeleel at 06-Apr-2005 14:33

let your fish get used to its sourronings.

if someone threw you out of your house and you lived with some bum on the street (not implying anything) you probably wouldnt go out and eat that nasty chicked people throw in their garbage (again, not implying anything)

Out of all the fish I have ever owned, 11 Years worth of solid fishkeeping I have NEVER seen a fish a least not take a nibble, It is worrying me this is accually day two.
And victim....you still didnt answer the question, lol
The lights are off too on the tank.

and I like bums =p

And everything was done gently unlike the way you put it lol throwing into the tank and so on....

Victim thanks for the reply but do you know any treats...even for when they do start eating.....


Angel Eel

Last edited by angeleel at 06-Apr-2005 14:54

African Butterflys can be funny. Some eat, others do not. Never buy one unless you see it eat first. I'm many cases, when they don't eat, they never do. Mine would eat flakes, and crikits from time to time. I had mine for a few years before it made a jump for it. It took 3 before I had one eat. Good luck.

Dan


Dan

Here is the deal. African Butterflies have very limited eye site. Mine and all of the info that I have read on the web suggests that the ABF wont eat until the food is right on top of him. You will notice once he eats that he only eats what is either right or left of him. Give him some time to acclimate and try flakes, dried shrimp, then crickets. You need something that stays uptop long enough for him to see it. The shrimp is the better of the 3. I have fed crickets that drown and sink before the ABF ever see it. I trained mine to come to the front right corner of my tank where the current is limited at lower water volumns (condensate) so the food will be still and not get sucked into the current. I turn the light on in the evening. He thinks its feeding time and goes to that corner to get his dinner (any combination of the 3 above) They also love mosquito's and house flies. Get him some floating plants or some tall plants that touch the top of his tank and let him chill. He will eat. Remember seeing the food is the trick ( or atleast it is the case with the ones that I have had)

FreeBlaze

That is what I needed, there is not to much info on this fish info wise on the net.

I was told about the plant and put some in last night
Great tip!

I will give him some crickets soon to as well.

As for where they sit they have already picked a place in the tank that is calm for them, I tryed putting food directly on them and watched them, It looked like they did not even see it So I will take special care of my new half blind friends heheh

Thanks Alot!!
Angel Eel

heres some more mine eat frozen, shrimp, crickets, and bloodworms. I have heard butterflyfish are semi blind and go by the riplles or slpashes you make atleast thats the only time when mine reacts and becareful with having two they like their territoy hope that helps they also like some slat in their water too I think but I dont... they love floating plants and they are somewhat like an arawona and eat smaller fish

hope this helps

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/gpantodon.html

This is by far the best resource for these fish that I have found. Read the users comments. This is where I found info on mine when I was freaked by their behavior.

FreeBlaze

If you want, you could probably try small feeder guppies. If the ABF has trouble catching feeders, you might try pinching their tails.

- Dj :88)