Feeding Anglers

[Mental1]

Just curious how others do this! He was trained by the LFS to eat from tongs so that's what I used first. But one day he got a hold of the tong and kept trying to pull it in! I got him off and he's still okay so he did not do himself any damage. While he was in feeding mode I decided to try and use the stick -- it worked. Now he inhales whatever is on the fishing line and the fishing line.

So here's a question -- how do you feed these guys so they don't inhale whatever the food is attached to? I assume soon I will be able to just drop food near him and he will take it but there's that time it takes to get there.

Also, is it a reflex that they have? If they sense something in their mouth they just keep sucking in?

 

[sweet33er]

use a skewer, metal or wooden, that way they can pull their food off. I'm guessing you're feeding shrimp or pieces of fish flesh. Just make sure the point isn't sharp so that you don't jab them

 

[Mental1]

I was using metal tongs but I did not like the way he kept sucking one side in. So now I am using the feeding stick with the fishing line on the end. Yesterday he did a bit better in getting himself off of the line. I was just curious if it is a reflex particular to these fishies.

 

[namxas]

50 lb test monofilament on an acrylic stick.

We use this for ALL of our preds, regardless of size. If they grab it, it simply slips out of their mouth.

 

[ashtree68]

How much have you been feeding? I know they tend to over eat and that it can cause health problems, with lions you can see the bulge but how about with anglers?

 

[jmasterdiver]

They will always be prone to swallowing a stick or tongs, IMO. Greg's feeding stick, or maybe a net, would be your best bet.

 

[Mental1]

Greg -- it doesn't slip out of his mouth -- he just keeps sucking it in. He's getting better but I still don't like what he does. The lions grip and let it go but he keeps sucking the line in.

 

[jd474]

We have used small zip ties fastened to rigid tubing, for many of our target fed animals.

 

[namxas]

Sherri,

Try putting the food onto the line so it's more loosely impaled. I know this can be a bit hard to get the hang of cuz the food can fall off the end, but eventually, both you and the fish will get used to it. I know it's especially hard to do this with smaller bits of food. Also, make sure the line is "fresh", as older used line can get rough from the fish grabbing it and makes it harder for the food to slide off.

 

[Mental1]

Maybe I will make a new stick Greg -- this one is my original one. I do put the food on the end and there is food in the tank that did fall off. I closed my index finger in a car door a few weeks back so am hesitant to stick it in tank water! He does seem to be getting better at it but their whole sucking reflex is amazing! He's doing well though -- looks completely different than when I first brought him home. Will post another picture of this little guy -- before and after!