Since these fish are sold as food and not as pets, they're often mass bred and kept in close quarters and poor water conditions. Feeder goldfish are, inherently, less healthy than goldfish that are bred to be pets due to these conditions. They are inexpensive, though, which makes them ideal for people who live feed.
Use Feeder FishIf it's possible, you could always let your betta eat feeder fish if you're going on holiday for a short period of time. They are constantly breeding, and their babies will make a great live snack for your betta! (Have you ever wondered whether bettas should eat daphnia, bloodworms, or goldfish food?)
The facts are that some fish need to eat smaller fish to survive. Some of these fish can be weened off of live prey, yet others will refuse to eat anything but feeders. The problems associated with feeding feeder fish to other fish can be mitigated so that the risk of disease and malnutrition is kept to a minimum.
In general, most fish do quite well on one or two feedings per day. Most fish require 16 to 24 hours to fully digest the food they eat, so a once-a-day feeding is quite sufficient. However, some owners prefer to feed their fish very lightly twice a day.
Types Of Fish
- Guppies – These guys are your fastest breeding fish.
- Mollies – Mollies are the second-fastest breeding fish on the chart.
- Convict Cichlid – Convicts are also a popular fish to use for feeders.
- Minnows – Minnows are very popular feeders to by at a store, usually sold as Rosy Reds.
While quite a bit smaller than Jack Dempseys, Convict Cichlids pack a lot of feisty personality in a smaller package. A breeding pair of Convicts will vigorously fend off a Jack Dempsey who gets too interested about their eggs or fry.
As carnivorous fish, a Jack Dempsey's diet would normally consist of anything meaty that they can fit into their mouths. They can quickly grab worms, crustaceans, insects, and small fish. There are many options for feeding them in a home aquarium. They are not picky eaters so you can choose what is easiest for you.
Dempseys make relatively good Oscar tank mates because they are about equal in size and aggression. If you plan to keep these two together, make sure to watch closely for aggression in the beginning.
Like all cichlids, Jack Dempsey's teeth are also sharp as they are carnivorous and prey on other aquatic creatures. The most attractive feature of a Jack Dempsey fish is the body of the fish covered with metallic, iridescent blue-green blots.
Can a Jack Dempsey breed with a convict? Convict Cichlid Convict Cichlids are one of the most popular aquarium fish in the world. A breeding pair of Convicts will vigorously fend off a Jack Dempsey who gets too interested about their eggs or fry.
The Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata) is a species of cichlid fish that is native to freshwater habitats from southern Mexico to Honduras, but also introduced elsewhere. Its common name refers to its aggressive nature and strong facial features, likened to that of the famous 1920s boxer Jack Dempsey.
Size: Perch-like in shape, the Cichlasoma octofasciatum is a large cichlid, reaching seven to eight inches (18-20 cm). Behavior: Its common name refers to the boxer, Jack Dempsey, because of its fighting demeanor. They are extremely aggressive and excitable; schools are formed only when young.
As with many other new cichlid parents, Jack Dempseys may consume their first few broods. But after spawning several times, they usually get the hang of parenting. Though it's been reported if they are overly disturbed, they may eat their fry.
Compatibity. BR Parrots are compatible with many fish such as mid size Tetras, Giant Danios, Cory cats or any catfish, Plecos, Kribs, Severums and Angelfish. Convicts are a good choice as well, but be careful of any aggressive issues and the possiblity of a spawn between these two species.
Not unlike human beings, fish experience both highs and lows in their spirits. If a Jack Dempsey cichlid's coloration abruptly and seemingly out of nowhere turns paler, it could be a sign of a fish who is unhappy or irked about something.
The adult Electric Blue Jack Dempsey size is between 8-12 inches, which is almost half the size of the Bala Shark, which grows to a minimum of 15 inches. The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey growth rate is very fast, around a couple of inches every year.
Green Terror Cichlids belong to the largest order of fish (Perciformes) and are ray-finned, which means their fins are formed by a web of bony skin attached to their body like rays. Because of it's size, this fish can be extremely aggressive towards other fish especially during spawning seasons.
Oscars need a balanced diet, so feeding them small fish is fine if you limit it to just a few fish a week. Feeder goldfish are not the ideal fish for an oscar's diet because they are prone to disease since they are typically kept in overcrowded tanks.
Inconsistency in the quality of water is often a cause behind an Oscar's hunger strike. Fluctuating water quality can stress out Oscars, killing their desire to eat. While you are at it, also check the temperature of the water as fish also stop eating if the water is too cold.
Let the fish actually swallow some before you dump more in their tank. If you add too much, oscars tend to gum and spit their food in an effort to move on to the next piece that is offered. Basically it should take longer than 10 seconds to feed your fish. You enjoy watching your oscar, so take your time!
Providing live foods is considerably more difficult, and no matter what you may hear, you should never feed oscars feeder goldfish or rosy red minnows. These fish contain thiaminase which binds to vitamin B1 and will cause a dangerous deficiency in oscars.
And they can recognize their owners.This is the reason they are also known as water dog or river dog. When Oscar fish are small they look similar to puppies. You can also feed your Oscar fish with your hands.
They're delicious! You'd be shocked at how much they taste like hog snapper.
Research shows that Oscar fish is very fond of apples, bananas, grapes, pineapples, mango and water chestnuts. It is up to you to make them try out different fruits. However, keep in mind that not all fruits are suitable for the Oscar fish because some of the fruits are high in acid which does not suit them.
Goldfish are especially popular as feeder fish, being cheap and relatively large, but they are actually among the worst of all prey species for most predatory fish. They are fatty and rich in a chemical called thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys the essential nutrient thiamine (also known as vitamin B1).
Like all cichlids, oscars possess teeth not only in their jaws but a set of pharyngeal teeth as well. Teeth in the jaws are small and used for grasping while those in the throat (the pharyngeal teeth) manipulate and process prey items.
