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feeding dempseys guppies

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by kwheeler91, Jun 29, 2009.

  1. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    is it ok to feed my dempseys feeder guppies that i raised myself, they are healthy free of parasites etc...? i know you shouldnt feed mouth brooders live fish but i was wondering if its the same for dempseys, which i dont think are mouth brooders but i could be wrong. the dempseys are only a little over an inch right now but i plan to grow them out and breed them and wanted to use the guppies to speed up that process. also, would it be ok to feed them other live foods including but not limited to; scuds, baby shrimp(probably red cherry if get too many of um to sell), and other fry from live bearers like endlers that i dont want? i know i ask a lot of questions about these guys but i need the help because its my first try with cichlids and dont wanna goof it up.
     
    kwheeler91, Jun 29, 2009
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  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I don't see why not, when I had them I use to use rosy reds for them and my oscar. They did perfectly fine.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jun 29, 2009
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  3. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    so you dont think it would teach them to eat their fry? thats my main concern. im not worried about disease or anything because any live foods i feed them i raise myself
     
    kwheeler91, Jun 29, 2009
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  4. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    No expert on them, but did keep them a good while (didn't breed).
    But imo you risk any fish eating it's fry...regardless of what you feed.
    (flake food crushed is smaller, some of those tabs are tiny as one, see where I'm going with this?)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jun 29, 2009
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  5. littledane

    littledane Member

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    my breeding pair has gotten live food every now and then as a treat. the only fry i have seen them eat are the ones that are unhealthy.
     
    littledane, Jun 29, 2009
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  6. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    ok. what do you think about keeping a few adult guppies, too big to eat, in the tank while the dempseys are young that way they can breed every once in a while and the dempseys will get a nice little treat?
     
    kwheeler91, Jun 29, 2009
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  7. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I would think even though they are young, that they would harass the guppy by "ganging up" and the adult would end up with disease over stress and probably dying in the end.

    Can always try it and at the first sign of issues remove it?

    Or put a divider in place (can do a diy) and let the guppies breed on 1 side and as fry are born just net them and toss them over to the other side with the dempseys.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jun 30, 2009
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  8. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    what about one of those livebearer cage things that have holes in the bottom so the babies would just fall out?
     
    kwheeler91, Jun 30, 2009
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  9. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    you could do that, but every time I've actually used them for the preggos they get super stressed and I've always ended up removing them and saying to heck with it.

    My current one is used for either eggs, or plants that I was to jumpstart.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jun 30, 2009
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  10. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    I dont even have a breeder :|
     
    Guidoman888, Jun 30, 2009
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  11. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    ok thanks for the advice
     
    kwheeler91, Jun 30, 2009
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