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I've noticed that the cats with the similar body structure lyre tail, flat nose and spread whiskers seem to need a low protien diet. Those we have fed a lot and higher protiens got impacted EXTREMELY fast and died soon after. while being hardy in all sorts of extreme parameters one thing remained a constant when the fish died. Over feeding high protiens. So far our few frozen bloodworms once a week diet has worked for Brachyplatystoma flavicans, Brachyplatystoma juruense, Merodontotus tigrinus, and Goslinea playtema. Just a note. I know some of them are monsters but for those that want to keep them keep them well

It's more likely the frequency than the amount of protein in the diet, since these fish are largely piscivorous. These fish probably take infrequent, large meals in the wild.

So your saying high ammounts of protien are eaten and then fasting occurs? Do you have any idea of what time frame. I just watch there bellies and it's about once a week they look hungry to me.

It all depends on size. I would expect very large individuals to be able to last a month, maybe more, without food.

I agree over feeding is definatly a problem when it comes to the brachyplatystomas. I feed mine raw market shrimp every other day and im sure i could feed less than this. So far I have raised two tigrinus up to 13"+(one 13" and the other 18") successfully...ive also kept many juruense- one up too 16", before it suffocated on a suction cup. And flavicans just grow slow as ever. I have ordered goslinia many of times but they never make it too my house!!!


Your 4 cats just happen to be my four favorites. Very nice collection man...if you have any pictures could you please post them or messege them too me??? You are lucky to be keeping these...i am jelous.


By the way if you didnt already know...M. tigrinus has been changed to Brachyplatystoma tigrinum. Unless it was changed back? M. tigrinus sounds cooler anyways.

So what is your proposition of feeding on a week or month?

Small fish - feed every other day. As they grow larger, reduce the feeding frequency, and when they are adult, you should probably only feed every other week or less often. Obviously, that means a GOOD feed when they get fed, rather than a nibble.

Make sure you have a filtration system that can cope with the enormous spike in ammonia that happens after the feeding though...

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Mats

I'm wondering if there would be a difference between prepaired shrimp and live as far as how fast it passes.

Would not once a month with a big feed is asking for trouble with amonia spikes. Bacteria need feeding also and leaving the filter ticking over on minimal amonia from respiration would surely starve the bacteria? I would say once a week medium feeding would be more apropriate. I have found Juruense will only go on the hunt when they are seriously hungry so I use it as a guage for feeding. They don't seem to learn to connect human interaction with feeding as much as for example red tails.

I beleive cats in general are not aware of being full or hungry. Or I have just not seen it. The amount that a cat would put on a filtrations system would be minimul for it size if being fed. For example a goldfish unloads it's waste all at once in a long poop while our juruense are going to break down the high protien contents and pass it over an extended period of time.

I've noticed a lot more use of their streamy lyre's to find food and scent as a way of finding the general area as well.

Perhaps I've been lucky? Having raised several pimelodid species including p. hemioliopteris, p. fasciatum, l. pictus, p. perunno, b. tigrinum and b. juruense, I always started them out on blackworms- feeding daily as juveniles, then guppies and after that feeder goldfish, as many as they want, a constant supply. All survived to around 18" until new homes were found. Still have the juruense, now 18" and the tigrinum now 13" and no feeding problems at all, they eat as much as they want. I could probably cut down on keeping the tank stocked with goldfish but in the same tank is a 14" p. fowleri and although they're not supposed to be a community fish, it has been for a year or two and as long as it's well fed, no worries....
Weekly water changes and replacing filter carbon an a regular basis has worked well for me, for what it's worth....

How big is your megladoras? I've been told that they rarely grow over 14", adn after I bought a 1500l tank for mine!

My megalodoris is a mere 3-4", acquired only a month ago. My supplier on the east coast, (East Coast Zoological Supply) imports Peruvian specimens to around 60cm. and larger, mentioning some coming in at 28" next week. I have seen photos of similar sized aquarium raised specimens as well so you're well equipped for one...