Just bought a freshwater flounder

[godale03]

Hey Guys,

I was crutching it around the pet store on Saturday on our way back from Philadelphia and we noticed a cool looking fish in the freshwater section. Well it turned out to be a freshwater flounder, so I bought one. It is in a 55 gallon tank with pleanty of cover. The only thing now is what the heck do you feed these things? The clerk at the petstore said it will eat normal fish food. So far it does not seem to be eating anything. Has anyone here ever had one, and if so what did you feed it? Thanks

Tom

 

[Revo Rancher]

I know to feed a finicky plechostomous you put a little weight into a thick slice of zuchunni (sp?). Flounder is a bottom eater so that might work.

 

[FastEddy]

Flounder is a bottom feeder in the ocean. It would seem that it will feed on food that rests to the bottom just like its saltwater brother. When you feed your other fish some of the food will not be eaten and sink.

Fish have a natural instinct to eat. I wouldn't try anything drastic until your sure hes not feeding.

 

[godale03]

Thanks Revo and Ed,

I have been making sure that I put some sinking pellets on the bottom for him to eat. I will just sit back and observe before I make any rash decisions. Thanks guys. I didn't know about the veggy trick and the pleco. I will have to try that with my two as well. Thanks again guys.

Tom

 

[beason]

do they say what exacly he eats? veggys, moss, other dead fish, algae? that may help to..

 

[godale03]

do they say what exacly he eats? veggys, moss, other dead fish, algae? that may help to..

The guy at the shop said that they just eat regular fish food, as long as it sinks to the bottom. Online I found a tidbit of info that said they like live food, of course they say that about most fish. I have never had problems with fish eating plain old fish food, but I just want to make sure I am giving this little dude something to munch on. Of course most fish feed at night, so getting a chance to actually see him eat is slim. I just don't want to kill him.

Tom

 

[vgibbens]

Is this it?

 

[.21Rc10GT]

Wow, i had never heard of a freshwater flounder... I was at petco yesterday, just looking around, and they had a 4" or so saltwater flounder... Looks pretty neat, but they eat fish, and get huge!

Could you maybe snap a pic of this thing??? I'm kinda wondering if it really differs from the SW version... speaking of SW, i need to go do a water change...

 

[SumoDethRat]

It eats regular food as in the dry flaky crap or pellets, or like the frozen gumdrop shaped bloodworm or brine shrimp balls?

I had a couple of catfish and other fish in a freshwater take a couple of years ago, and fed them the frozen stuff. It floats initially then sinks in about 2 minutes.

 

[godale03]

Is this it?

Yep... that's the one. Thanks for the link.

Tom

 

[godale03]

Wow, i had never heard of a freshwater flounder... I was at petco yesterday, just looking around, and they had a 4" or so saltwater flounder... Looks pretty neat, but they eat fish, and get huge!

Could you maybe snap a pic of this thing??? I'm kinda wondering if it really differs from the SW version... speaking of SW, i need to go do a water change...

I will try and get a pic of him to post. He normally just hangs on the side of the glass so you only get to see the underside of him, and if he is on the gravel he changes his color to blend in. It is kind of cool actually. I will keep and eye out to see if I can catch a shot of him.

Tom

 

[gussyo]

Flounder are not bottom feeders or scavengers per se.Although they do feed near the bottom off the water column.They would be best fed with white worms.plankton,blood worms and of course,live would be best,but frozen will do as well. Shame on the pet store and you for bringing an animal home you know not how to care for.I've been in that hobby for 50 years and have bred and reared many exotic fishes. ps( if you would like more info pm me)

 

[godale03]

Damn that was harsh! Dude I did my research and talked to the folks at the pet store. I was told the fish eats normal fish food. That is what I went on. I just don't buy fish just to throw them in the tank and say... well there fella your on your own! The only reason I posted this link was because I did not notice the little guy eating. I do not buy fish or any animal for that matter just to bring it home to kill it. I figure the fish stands a better chance here in my tank where it is cleaned and maintained than it would in that damn petstore tank. Dude please do not make comments without knowing the whole story!

 

[godale03]

Hey Beason,

Here is a pic of the little guy for you. He was finally on the bottom so I snaped a quick pic.

 

[vgibbens]

not bashin' ya here. From reading some sites the other day, your little guy may be stressed by trying to match the multi colored bottom. Still, it's better than him trying to match blue, yellow or red like some bottoms of aquariums.

 

[godale03]

not bashin' ya here. From reading some sites the other day, your little guy may be stressed by trying to match the multi colored bottom. Still, it's better than him trying to match blue, yellow or red like some bottoms of aquariums.

Yeah, the only thing I don't have for the little guy was sand on the bottom. The rocks are smooth and round, and not jagged so the little guy won't cut himself. I didn't think you were bashing me. That other guy made comment without knowing the whole story. I would not have gotten the fish if I didn't think I could have given him a good home. Thanks for the tip.

Tom

 

[gussyo]

I'm Sorry godale,but I did'nt mean you were an unfit aquarist and I apologize,I do however feel the store person should educate him/her self so to better advise their clientele. Please accept my sincere apology.

 

[4u2nv]

Man that things cool! Have ya noticed him eating yet?? Pretty cool though man. What else ya have in the aquarium? Or is it just him?

 

[.21Rc10GT]

Dont flounders like sandy substrates so they can bury themselves? Pretty cool man. They can change colors to blend with stuff in a few seconds... Its neat to watch.

 

[.21Rc10GT]

Any word on this fish??? Whats the news? I'm kinda wondering how its goin...