- [20:03 30/04/2004] <@craig> Good evening everyone!
- [20:04 30/04/2004] <@craig> Welcome to this weeks Live! Fishchat!
- [20:04 30/04/2004] <@craig> Tonight our guest speaker is one
of Badmans very own, Russ..
- [20:04 30/04/2004] <@craig> Russ, when ever you are ready,
please begin.
- [20:05 30/04/2004] <+russ> Good evening. As tonight's topic
implies, we will be discussing feeding habits of tropical fish. Because
fish are such a deverse group, it's not surprising that this deversity
is reflected in their food habits.
- [20:06 30/04/2004] <+russ> The more common aquarium fish (ones
most likely found at your LFS) have been selected for fish-keeping,
at least in part, for their flexible food habits. But a very important
thing to remember is that there is no single food that will meet the
needs of all species of fish at every stage of their life cycle.
- [20:07 30/04/2004] <+russ> Also, there are very few speiceis
of fish that can be categorized as strict carnivores (meat eaters)
or herbivors (plant eaters). But, again, most species of aquarium
fishes seem to be more or less omnivorous, requiring, or at least
preferring, a wide viriety of animal and vegetable matter.
- [20:08 30/04/2004] <+russ> Tonight I'll be discussing a more
generalized classification, based largely on the method of feeding
rather than on the items consumed.
- [20:09 30/04/2004] <+russ> Fish that nibble at plants or pick
at small plankton or benthic animals are called [grazers]. Many common
fishes fit this group. Some examples are guppies and mollies. These
generalized grazers feed on a wide viriety of plant and animal foods.
Others, however can be very selective, such as some Loricarid catfish
(Farlowella), that eat almost nothing in the wild except algea.
- [20:10 30/04/2004] <+russ> Fish that concentrate planktonic
plants or animals by straining the water are called [filter feeders].
These fish have finely spaced gill rakers which enable them to seperate
food from the water efficiently. Other filter feeders use brushlike
pharyngeal teeth to further concentrate or select foods. Many African
cichlids are filter feeders.
- [20:12 30/04/2004] <+russ> [Bottom feeders] or scavengers
include some carps, loaches, sturgeon, and catfishes, which are able
to to obtain nourishment from plant and animal debris and from animals
that live in the sediment. Bottom feeders are more adapt to obtaining
food this way due to their physiology (usually charactorized by their
down-turned mouths), sensitive fleshy lips, and ventrally positioned
sucking mouth parts.
- [20:13 30/04/2004] <+russ> Barbels are a type of sensory appendage
and are also common in many bottom feeders. Some even have taste buds
in their abdominal skin. In the case of bottom feeders, the type of
sediment influences feeding success.
- [20:13 30/04/2004] <+russ> Soft sand and mud are easily procesed,
but coarse bottom gravel can interfere with feeding. Sediments can
make up 10-20% of the stomach contents of many bottom feeders and
can carry nutrients in the form of fine particles that can also aid
in digestion of algae or other foods.
- [20:14 30/04/2004] <+russ> Only a small percentage of fish
are totally [predatory], and some of these are adapted for preying
on specific types of organisms. Aconstant supply of small fishes,
worms, or plankton may be required to keep these type species well
feed. Many predatory species can be trained to accept frozen foods
or even dried diets. A species example is the South American Tiger
Shovelnose Catfish.
- [20:16 30/04/2004] <+russ> Several species of fish are [parasitic]
and have eveloved into specialized feeders which feed on the body
fluids, scales, or fins of other fishes. Some of these species have
evloved to mimic the appearance of harmless fish. This type behavior
allows the parasite to approach a host with less liklyhood of being
recognized as a threat.
- [20:17 30/04/2004] <+russ> So, now we have the basic feeding
groups of our aquarium fish: Grazers, Filter Feeders, Bottom Feeders,
Predatory, and Parasitic.
- [20:18 30/04/2004] <+russ> Most species of fish can be eventually
be trained to eat prepared diets, but not all diets are equally acceptable
to all fish. Even the most nutricious diet cannot maintain a fish
that fails to recognize the food. Recognition is affected by instinct
and training. This brings us to the interactions of the feeding stimuli.
- [20:19 30/04/2004] <+russ> There are certain factors which
will motivate a fish to feed. Hunger, security, fish's state of health,
temperature, water quality, and illumination, are all [motivational
factors].
- [20:20 30/04/2004] <+russ> Cyclical rhythms, including seasonal,
reproductive, tidal and solar cycles can also control feeding activity
in the wild which can persist in tank-raised fishes.
- [20:20 30/04/2004] <+russ> When the fish's state of health
is prime and several other motivational factors are in play, the fish
should be then aquiring [basic stimuli factors] such as flavor, sound,
and boyancy and color.
- [20:21 30/04/2004] <+russ> Olfaction and taste are very important
for most fish species and especially significant to the bottom feeders.
Although there are specific anatomical receptors for taste and smell,
flavors must first disslove in water before they are detected.
- [20:22 30/04/2004] <+russ> Although some food ingredients
stimulate a fish to feed, others actually act as a repellant. Certain
amino acids and carboxylic acids have attractant properties. Sweets
and fats are much less effective stimulants. Seafoods are especially
strong attractants** (Sea foods, however, should not be fed as an
inclusive diet)**
- [20:24 30/04/2004] <+russ> Sound can be an effective feeding
stimuli for many fishes also. Fishes that become trained to feeding
on prepaired diets my recognize your footsteps approaching the tank
and gather at the surface or near the front glass in anticipation
of being feed.
- [20:25 30/04/2004] <+russ> Sound recognition training of the
fish may have started with food pellets hitting the surface of the
water, which the fish then dirives the final basic stimuli. Boyancy
and color.
- [20:25 30/04/2004] <+russ> Sound recognition training of the
fish may have started with food pellets hitting the surface of the
water, which the fish then dirives the final basic stimuli. Boyancy
and color.
- [20:26 30/04/2004] <+russ> Fish adapted at feeding at the
surface (Hatchet fish are a good example) may not pursue food that
ventures past the mid section of the water column. Likewise, bottom
feeders may not pursue boyant foods that float at the surface.
- [20:29 30/04/2004] <+russ> Luckly for us hobbyists, most fish
are not really that picky and I'm sure many of you have observed bottomfeeders
in a feeding frenzy near the surface along with other classes of feeders.
- [20:29 30/04/2004] <+russ> Shallow water species have very
good color vision, and the food color can be an important stimulus.
Lighter colored foods have been more successful in training fish to
feed on prepaired diets. Other species have been observed accepting
only green or red colored foods.
- [20:30 30/04/2004] <+russ> Upon acting on a basic feeding
stimli, fish utilize many different "clues" to detect and
locate their food.
- [20:31 30/04/2004] <+russ> [Detectional clues] utilized by
some species are vibrations and changes in electrical fields.
- [20:31 30/04/2004] <+russ> [Location clues] utilized by fishes
are visual, chemical, and mechanical.
- [20:32 30/04/2004] <+russ> In closing, here is a brief recap
and overview: Feeding classes of fish are Grazers, Filter Feeders,
Bottom Feeders, Predatory, and Parasitic.
- [20:33 30/04/2004] <@craig> Russ, ready for questions?
- [20:33 30/04/2004] <+russ> Motivational factors influencing
the feeding habits of fish species include, hunger, security, state
of health, temperature, water quality, and illumination.
- [20:33 30/04/2004] <+russ> Fishes use vibrations and changes
in electrical fields to detect foods, and visual, chemical, and mechanical
clues to locate their foods.
- [20:34 30/04/2004] <+russ> Selected reference(s) used: "Nutrient
Requirements of Warm Water Fishes and Shellfishes", Washington,
D.C.: National Academy Press, US National Academy of Sciences.
- [20:34 30/04/2004] <+russ> "Fish Anatomy, Physiology,
and Nutrition", Tetra Press.
- [20:35 30/04/2004] <+russ> I guess thats it for the topic
of feeding habbits. I thank you for your time tonight in allowing
me to present this.
- [20:36 30/04/2004] <@craig> Russ, thank you fo your time..
- [20:36 30/04/2004] <+russ> Your very welsome
- [20:36 30/04/2004] <@craig> If you have a question for Russ,
please type: /query craig I have a question
- [20:38 30/04/2004] <+Gar> Ok..Can you tell me about the feeding
habits of Corydoras
- [20:39 30/04/2004] <+Gar> And if they will eat aquarium plants
- [20:40 30/04/2004] <+russ> Gar, they are in the bottom feeder
class and would ikewise feed in methods typical of bottom feeders.
I have not read or personally observed any Corydoras species eating
a portion of plant on purpose
- [20:41 30/04/2004] <+russ> More...
- [20:41 30/04/2004] <+Gar> Alright, thanks Russ
- [20:41 30/04/2004] <+Gar> Oh, ok
- [20:42 30/04/2004] <+russ> Their physiology does not allow
them to expend extra energy going to the surface for food unless they
are in dyer straights.
- [20:42 30/04/2004] <@craig> Gar, please ask more if you wish,,
- [20:43 30/04/2004] <+Gar> I'm done, thanks
- [20:43 30/04/2004] <+Gar> Nice presentation by the way Russ
- [20:43 30/04/2004] <+russ> thank you:-)
- [20:43 30/04/2004] <@craig> Geoff..
- [20:44 30/04/2004] <+Noname> Hey, I was wondering, with predatory
species, I have heard of animals being "spoiled" after trying
feeders and not going back to non live food, why is this, and would
it be possible to make the fish eat packaged food again?
- [20:46 30/04/2004] <+russ> Geoff...it would fall back on getting
the fish motivated to feed on other foods...Hunger is a good motivator,
if it does not interfere with the fish's state of health.....more..
- [20:47 30/04/2004] <+russ> training the fish to recognize
other edible foods using one or more of the 'clues' may also help
- [20:48 30/04/2004] <+Noname> thank you, ^_^
- [20:48 30/04/2004] <+russ> :-)
- [20:48 30/04/2004] <@craig> Any other questions?
- [20:49 30/04/2004] <@craig> Ready for the free for all Russ?
- [20:49 30/04/2004] <+russ> I was saving the actual "nutrion'
part for a future presentation ;-)
- [20:49 30/04/2004] <@craig> I'll take that as a yes. ;-)
- [20:49 30/04/2004] <+russ> sure, I hope I can keep up though
:-)
- [20:50 30/04/2004] <@craig> The floor is open..
- [20:50 30/04/2004] <@Jessica> russ, awesome
- [20:50 30/04/2004] <Noname> Great job Russ ^_^
- [20:50 30/04/2004] <JP> Thanks russ. That was great.
- [20:50 30/04/2004] * milk claps
- [20:50 30/04/2004] <+russ> Your very welcome
- [20:50 30/04/2004] <NetMax> thanks Russ
- [20:51 30/04/2004] * G hands Russ some Oreos
- [20:51 30/04/2004] * +russ bows :-)
- [20:51 30/04/2004] * Noname gives in and falls asleep.... so.....tired......,
lol
- [20:51 30/04/2004] <@Jessica> g'night geoff
- [20:51 30/04/2004] <NetMax> i never could get my shovelnose
to eat processed foods :(
- [20:51 30/04/2004] <Noname> bye all, ^_^
- [20:51 30/04/2004] <Gar> Nite
- [20:51 30/04/2004] <+russ> Net, that is why I ckose that particular
fish as a example of a tru predator :-)
- [20:52 30/04/2004] <G> I think some of our Shovelnose at work
may have eaten shrimp pellets before...
- [20:52 30/04/2004] <G> or maybe not
- [20:52 30/04/2004] <NetMax> I ended up keeping him in the
goldfish feeder tank... a bit cold, but he was never so happy ;)
- [20:53 30/04/2004] <+russ> Hikari carnavor tabs are a good
way to start training many fish
- [20:53 30/04/2004] <NetMax> esp. the arrowana sticks
- [20:53 30/04/2004] <+russ> But, have to make sure you clean
them up if they are not located and consumed in an hour or so
- [20:54 30/04/2004] <NetMax> a lot of fish will never be commercially
available because of their feeding patterns, is: filter feeders
- [20:54 30/04/2004] <+russ> Net, yes, that is true of so many
marine fishes. Yet these are still caught and sold......and doomed
in the aquarium :-)
- [20:54 30/04/2004] <NetMax> do you know of an which have adapted
to aquariums, ie: cichlids from Africa?
- [20:55 30/04/2004] <NetMax> *any*
- [20:56 30/04/2004] <@Jessica> like tanganyikan and malawi?
- [20:56 30/04/2004] <+russ> Net...Most collectable African
cichlids have a long enough history of commercialization, that allows
the offspring to adapt fairly well
- [20:57 30/04/2004] <+russ> But...new species are still being
discovered each month that may be questionable.. I can't think of
one off-hand though at the moment
- [20:58 30/04/2004] <NetMax> not mentioned, sand sifters, ie:
Cytocara moori, but everytime I put them on sand, they ignore it,
so it's been bred out of them
- [20:58 30/04/2004] <+russ> If I tried to come up with a name,
chances are it has been already renamed several times...lol
- [20:59 30/04/2004] <+russ> yes, wild caught Moori can still
be a little tricky, but wild caught ones seldom end up in a regular
hobbyist's tank
- [20:59 30/04/2004] <NetMax> lol, the longer you are in the
trade, the worse it gets ;)
- [21:00 30/04/2004] <+russ> I gave up five years ago, trying
to keep up.. The ICZN is even farther behind....lol
- [21:04 30/04/2004] <+russ> Well, I've got to break if there
are no more questions at the moment. Thanks again for letting me present
this to you.. I first presented this for a regional aquarium society
about ten years ago. 99% still holds true today :-)
- [21:04 30/04/2004] <NetMax> thanks again Russ
- [21:05 30/04/2004] <G> thanks Russ
- [21:05 30/04/2004] <@sam> fabulous job Russ :)
- [21:06 30/04/2004] <@Jessica> russ, twas great :-D
- [21:06 30/04/2004] <+russ> Take care, and hope to chat on
"Nutrition" in the near future :-)
- [21:06 30/04/2004] <+russ> Take care all...Net, it was nice
meeting you.
- [21:07 30/04/2004] <JP> Bye Russ. :)
- [21:07 30/04/2004] <+russ> :-)
- [21:07 30/04/2004] <Gar> Nighty Night Russ
- [21:07 30/04/2004] <@Jessica> g'night russ
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