When to start feeding new fry after release?

[catstoy66]

So my 25 Ndole fry have acclimated & been released into the tank now. They're settling in nicely, exploring & already claiming territory! lol

My question is when is it best to start feeding them? I'm terrified of giving them bloat!! Should I start with a small bit now then wait til morning for next feeding? Or just wait until morning to begin? Help! I've read both ways in several places & would love your advice!

Thanks in advance! ~ Cat

[...]

Cat it is best to wait a 2-3 days to let the stress of the trip settle down. Add an extra tbsp of Epsom salt per 10 gallons to get their poop moving then start with 2 light feedings a day. Throw up a pic when you can 👍🤓

[catstoy66]

Oh wow! Thanks Danny, boy am glad I asked. That's exactly what I'll be doing then    Right now a few are trying to graze on the rocks & sponge filter, which makes me smile to see them exhibit some natural behaviors within hours after being released. Whewwww, so far so good

Why am I so nerve-wracked!!?? LOL 



Here's a shot of them acclimating. I'll have more up soon! 

[...]

2 pieces of advice for today;

1. You must teach yourself to resist the expert begging qualities of your Troph's...they are masters at convincing you they are starving to death lol
2. Keep your nerves in check...be diligent and observant but do not worry yourself into seeing things that aren't there...i am sure I have unnecessarily treated what I perceived to be sickness numerous times in the 1st few years I kept Troph's...stress behavior looks like (and does cause) sickness, but isn't always sickness...adding 1tbsp Epsom salt per 10gal, raising temp to 80-82 & leaving lights off for a few days will counter stress behavior.
Have a gr8 day troph sis 👍

[catstoy66]

You so hit the nail on the head Danny. Boy do I need this reinforcement today! It's like you've read my mind I swear LOL! 

These lil' buggers are masters of emotional manipulation I tell ya. They are doing so well I'm afraid to even say so for fear I'll jinx it. They're just great, swimming, even shoaling now, grazing on the rocks & sponges, having little territorial spats lol... they follow me all around the tank in a herd LOLOLOL, & their faces!! I feel like the biggest monster in not feeding them, but I'm resisting I swear...it's sooo hard!   I can do it!! 

You know, your second point is right on the mark. I think I've researched & read myself right into "expecting" things to go wrong and/or bad...to have a bad experience. Instead of feeling confident (which I did when starting my Africans so long ago) with all the knowledge I've gleaned, I feel anxious just waiting for the shoe to drop. I find myself scouring the tank for "the one that's not active, just doesn't seem right" or the dreaded "white stringy poo" LOL and am losing the joyful experience of keeping these lovely creatures. Having to convince my mind that No, I don't need to treat the tank with Metro "just to be on the safe side"... everybody is fine. They're acting & behaving just like little miniatures of adults in all the hundreds of videos I've watched. They're not stressed, I'm the stressed one!!

So yes, I'll remember to do as you suggest... breathe, stay observant, take action when necessary at the first signs... but mostly enjoy them.  

Thanks for reeling me back in from the dark side bro! LOL  ........ breathing........

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Cat that's hilarious by I know exactly how you feel...you don't have to have a bad experience and you have got all the main things straight b4 you got your fish...plus you have meds on hand if you need them...youre in great shape for an awesome experience sis'...enjoy!!

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

OOH maaaaan.. I remember these days... New Fish for a new tropheus keeper... always fun though. Just take your time with everything EXCEPT keeping the tank cleanly.

Weekly water changes, same lighting at the same time every day, same food and feeding schedule, vacuum the substrate 1-2 times a month and watch for the filtration to slow down and keep track of how it took for it to do that and then start cleaning it on a schedule that a few weeks short of that time and you'll be a successful tropheus keeper.

I've tried a few things for filtration and I've personally found that month use of new carbon is very good for a tropheus tank. It can be purchased in bulk @ around $150 for 15-20lbs... Whcih will last the average fish keeper a life time on one or two tanks.

[catstoy66]

LOLOL Thanks Andrew, do I detect a hint of laughter there?! Yes Sir *saluting* I'm doing my best to follow exactly what you've got here, except I've already done 2 pwc & vac ea time . I'm absolutely paranoid about not having the tank & water pristine but I don't want to kill off any bb establishing in my aragonite substrate! They were not deep vac's, just lightly above the substrate for waste but I'll back off on those to your suggestion of 1-2 a month. 

I really appreciate all the help & support!!

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

You know. Happy person most of the time here.

Yeah the large majority of the BB colony is in the filtration so don't worry about vacuuming it too much. You could get away with every other week with that.