Problem With Hoplo (Megalechis thoracata) Feeding

All posts regarding the care and breeding of these catfishes from South America.
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Void
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Problem With Hoplo (Megalechis thoracata) Feeding

Post by Void »

Last week I bought a pair of Brown Hoplos from a fish auction. They appear to be about or almost full size. However, other than some scarce nibbling on sinking catfish pellets I used for my Corydoras, they haven't been eating. They seem comfortable in the tank, swimming around frequently, and not just hiding under rocks.

Just wondering if anyone has suggestions for what I could try to feed them, that might be more to their liking?
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MatsP
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Re: Problem With Hoplo (Megalechis thoracata) Feeding

Post by MatsP »

They really shouldn't be hard to feed - in my experience, they eat ANYTHING (including flakes at the surface and waste from other fish at the bottom - doesn't mean they don't need food, of course). They have a fairly small mouth for their overall size, so will not eat large amounts in one "bite".

They go mad about any form of live or frozen food. Mine also like Tetra Prima (Tetra Colour Bits) and similar food.

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Mats
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Re: Problem With Hoplo (Megalechis thoracata) Feeding

Post by Bas Pels »

Void wrote:Brown Hoplos
Most often, Brown Hoplo is Hoplosternum littorale. Thids species grows much bigger - 15 cm (6 inmches) instead of 10 cm (4 inches)

Further they are more active, and the tail fin is forked, not rounded

Finally, in keeping, H littorale seams to be an even easier eater than M thoraca
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Void
Posts: 22
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Re: Problem With Hoplo (Megalechis thoracata) Feeding

Post by Void »

Oh, I didn't even notice I wrote the "Brown" part. I'll take a look at the pages and see which it really is.

Edit; Yeah, they are indeed M. Thoracata.
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