I have noticed that for a few weeks now my JD (Jack Dempsey) hasn't really been interested in eating very often. He used to come up to my hand to gulp down some flakes and readily rush any other food I dropped into the tank. My BB (Blackbelt Cichlid) has been just fine with his feeding habits and eats pretty much everything I put in the tank. He's growing larger now that he's getting all the food! The JD is about 6" total length, and the BB is about 5".
I have noticed that my JD is pretty unhappy about the BB eating all the food and often rushes at him to get him away from the food. He doesn't eat anything when he does this, just chases my BB away! Selfish brat! He must have the motto:"if I'm not eating, neither are you!"
He does eat but only every 3 days or so (that I have noticed). He usually waits till I feed Frozen foods (which is twice a week) or Ghost Shrimp (every 2 or 3 weeks).
Do any of you have any ideas? I just read a post that made me think my JD is possibly getting to adulthood (I got him at about 1 1/2" and that was almost a year ago). I understand some large cichlids may only need to eat every few days at such an age and maybe he's just not hungry.
I think I'll just feed a little less once a day until my Blackbelt grows up a bit, and do twice a week frozen foods. Sound reasonable? Any input? My only worry is about dietary needs.....will he get enough nutrients is he's so picky and just eats frozen foods? I alternate between Beefheart, Bloodworms, and Krill. I usually have only two types at any one time and alternate those. When I run out of one, I buy the one I've been out of. Do I need to go one week with just Hikari Pellets and the next with mixed in Frozen, or what? I also throw in some supplemental Shrimp Pellets, and Spirulina discs at odd intervals since I have a Blue crawfish as the third tankmate (who I never see move around anymore, btw!
) Oh, an I also throw in some fresh veggies for my Blackbelt every 2 or 3 days and let them stay in there a day or so.
I have noticed that my JD is pretty unhappy about the BB eating all the food and often rushes at him to get him away from the food. He doesn't eat anything when he does this, just chases my BB away! Selfish brat! He must have the motto:"if I'm not eating, neither are you!"
He does eat but only every 3 days or so (that I have noticed). He usually waits till I feed Frozen foods (which is twice a week) or Ghost Shrimp (every 2 or 3 weeks).
Do any of you have any ideas? I just read a post that made me think my JD is possibly getting to adulthood (I got him at about 1 1/2" and that was almost a year ago). I understand some large cichlids may only need to eat every few days at such an age and maybe he's just not hungry.
I think I'll just feed a little less once a day until my Blackbelt grows up a bit, and do twice a week frozen foods. Sound reasonable? Any input? My only worry is about dietary needs.....will he get enough nutrients is he's so picky and just eats frozen foods? I alternate between Beefheart, Bloodworms, and Krill. I usually have only two types at any one time and alternate those. When I run out of one, I buy the one I've been out of. Do I need to go one week with just Hikari Pellets and the next with mixed in Frozen, or what? I also throw in some supplemental Shrimp Pellets, and Spirulina discs at odd intervals since I have a Blue crawfish as the third tankmate (who I never see move around anymore, btw!
) Oh, an I also throw in some fresh veggies for my Blackbelt every 2 or 3 days and let them stay in there a day or so.